Research

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Student Stress & Crisis

ABSTRACT - Survey: Student Stress & Crisis. Poster Presentation, APHA 1988 - Boston, MA Lee Ann Hoff, PhD

Setting: A major private university in Boston. [Survey was replicated a few years later at a state university in New England–results not available.]

Title: University undergraduates’ Needs During Life Crises
Purpose: To assess undergraduates’ needs and resources during stress and crisis
Sample and Design:
            - 1037 undergraduates (population: 15,214)
            - cross-sectional majors and university class position
            - 41-item survey

Major Results:
            - Most frequently cited problems
                        - Financial
                        - Academic
                        - Family/Interpersonal
                        - Inadequate housing
            - Most frequently cited solutions considered
                        - Leave school temporarily
                        - Suicide
                        - Leave school permanently
NOTE: Students citing only ONE major problem were 11%; among those citing TWO or MORE  problems, the number rose to over 30%
                        - Over 30% of students were ignorant of existing counseling and other services
Help Preferred: Combination of professional and peer counseling
Implications:
            - Reduce student suicide risk
            - Reduce student drop-out rate
            - Improve coordination of existing services
            - Expand existing services to 24-hr., 7-day-a-week access
            - Provide mix of professional and peer counseling services
            - Emphasize preventive over curative [reactive] approach
Recommended Action Based on Survey Results
            Components of Service
                        - Information and referral
                        - Triage (rapid assessment and disposition)
                        - Follow-up counseling or treatment
                        - Linkage to in-patient service
            Characteristics of A Model Crisis Service
                        - 24/7 response capacity
                        - Immediacy of response
                        - Universal access by population served
                        - Smooth and effective co-ordination with related service units
                        - Evaluation for consumer and cost-effectivecness
           

Interested persons might replicate this research with the survey tool available by contacting info@crisisprograms.org