Marginalized Identities, Trump-Related Distress, and the Mental Health of Underrepresented College Students

Adverse Infant Health Outcomes Increased After the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election Among Non-White U.S.-born and Foreign-born Mothers

Macro-level events such as elections can improve or harm population health across existing axes of stratification through policy changes and signals of inclusion or threat. This study investigates whether rates of, and disparities in, adverse birth outcomes between racialized and nativity groups changed after Donald Trump's November 2016 election, a period characterized by increases in xenophobic and racist messages, policies, and actions in the United States. Using data from 15,568,710 U.S. births between November 2012 and November 2018, we find that adverse birth outcomes increased after Trump's election among U.S.- and foreign-born mothers racialized as Black, Hispanic, and Asian and Pacific Islander (API), compared with the period encompassing the two Obama presidencies. Results for Whites suggest no change or a slight decrease in adverse outcomes following Trump's election, yet this finding was not robust to checks for seasonality. Black-White, Hispanic-White, and API-White disparities in adverse birth outcomes widened among both U.S.- and foreign-born mothers after Trump's election. Our findings suggest that Trump's election was a racist and xenophobic macro-level political event that undermined the health of infants born to non-White mothers in the United States.

"At the end of the day, someone done lost their child": A mixed methods analysis of Black families' experiences of the sociopolitical climate

How Black Americans in the United States (U.S.) make sense of a sociopolitical climate marked by racist imagery, tensions, and police violence is important to understand given the numerously documented detrimental effects of racism-related stress on the well-being of Black parents and children. Informed by Racism-Related Stress Theory, the current study employed a convergent parallel mixed methods design to better understand the ways racism-related stressors in the sociopolitical climate impacted the daily lives and mental health of a sample of Black families with low income. Seventy-eight Black American preadolescents (Mage = 11.0; 43.6% girls) and their parents (79% mothers; 76% living below the U.S. federal poverty level [FPL]) from the southwestern U.S. reported their symptoms of depression and how they had been affected by racial stressors in the sociopolitical climate between Fall 2018 and Summer 2019. A nested sample of 10 parents (80% mothers; 80% living below the FPL) from the quantitative sample also participated in a semi-structured interview. Meta-inferences across methods were drawn pertaining to the influence of child gender on parents' interpretation of effects for children, the toll racism-related stress in the sociopolitical climate takes on Black families, and the transferal of effects on parents to children through parenting and parental depressive symptoms. Findings spotlight the need for policies and family-centered programming that address the racism-related stress faced by many Black youth and their families. Providing families with opportunities and tools that can potentially mitigate harmful effects and foster empowerment could promote positive and lasting change.

Sleep quality and executive function in a diverse sample of healthy young adults

Few studies examine the relationship between sleep and executive function in diverse samples of young adults. Our research aims to fill this gap by analyzing how self-reported sleep quality is related to informant-rated executive function as a whole and its working memory component in a diverse sample of 29 healthy college students. Using the self-report measure, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), we divided our sample into two groups based on cutoff criteria (score ≥5: poor sleep): good sleep quality (n = 11) and poor sleep quality (n = 18). Participants were on average 20.86 years old. Informants rated participants' executive functioning and working memory using the Frontal Systems Behavior Scale (FrSBe) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Individuals in the poor sleep quality group were reported as having significantly worse executive function and working memory scores. Young adult college students who report less than 7 hours of sleep per night have lower scores on informant measures of working memory and executive function. This study raises awareness about how self-reported sleep experiences are related to other's observation of cognitive abilities in everyday life in a diverse young adult sample.

Changes in the suicide risk behaviors of American college students over time: An analysis of three universities

INTRODUCTION

Suicide-related behaviors are prevalent among college students, and several mental health problems associated with increased suicide risk have increased over time. Furthermore, notable cultural events (e.g., political changes, COVID-19) have occurred in the past decade, which likely impact trends in suicide-related behaviors. The current study examined how the prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation (SI), and suicide attempts has changed from 2012 to 2022 across three different universities.

METHOD

Archival datasets from multiple years of college student survey data were compiled, and different measures of NSSI, SI, and suicide attempts were dichotomized to assess prevalence. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests were used to identify changes in suicide-related behaviors across time.

RESULTS

Results indicated significant increases in the prevalence of most behaviors across each university, with most increases occurring after 2018. Despite sharing a general trend of increased suicide-related behaviors, each university differed considerably in their respective trends between various timepoints, suggesting that unique factors may differentially contribute to growing risk among college students.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the current study identifies increasing trends in suicide-related behaviors over the past decade and highlights the value of investigating these behaviors at the university level.

Far-Right Misogynoir: A Critical Thematic Analysis of Black College Women's Experiences With White Male Supremacist Influences

Amid the (re)surgence of far-right ideologies in the United States of America, we introduce the concept of far-right misogynoir as a lens for understanding Black women's experiences of white and male supremacist influences and actions. Using a qualitative case study, we examined individual interview data with 17 Black women college students (18–24 years) from a selective, predominantly white, liberal arts college in the Northeast. Using Black feminist qualitative methods and critical thematic analysis, we highlight Black women's experiences of far-right misogynoir, as well as their social and psychological meaning-making of such experiences. The women discussed various manifestations of far-right misogynoir, including: (a) symbolic representations on campus, (b) interpersonal violence and intimidation, (c) Trumpism on social media, and (d) intellectual disrespect in classrooms. Regarding their social and psychological meaning-making of far-right misogynoir, the women described: (e) safety concerns, (f) social exclusion, and (g) harm to emotional well-being. Our findings reveal the unique adverse influences of far-right misogynoir on Black college women's psychological health. We discuss implications for scholarly discourse, for addressing far-right misogynoir, and for policy and practice to support Black women college students’ well-being.

"When the political becomes personal": evaluation of an elected president, election distress, and college students' psychological well-being

Objective: Although emerging adults' civic engagement is generally associated with positive outcomes, concerns about an elected candidate's leadership ability and the implications of administrative turnover may negatively impact youths' well-being. Using longitudinal data collected during the 2016 election cycle, the current study examined whether negative evaluation of a presidential candidate-who is eventually elected-may be indirectly associated with college students' psychological well-being due to increased election distress.Participants: 286 college-attending emerging adults (Mage= 20, SDage = 1.40) participated in the current study.Methods: Path models linking evaluation of Trump's leadership ability (pre-election) to psychological well-being (approx. 100 days in office) via election distress (presidential inauguration) were computed.Results: Reporting lower confidence in Trump's leadership ability prior to the election was associated with greater election distress 3 months post-election, and in turn, poorer psychological well-being 6 months post-election.Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of centering college students' well-being within a broader sociopolitical context.

Election-related sociopolitical stress and coping among college students in the United States

Objective: The present study examines sociopolitical stress, coping, and well-being among college students. Participants: Young adult college students (N = 588; ages 18-29; 72% cisgender women) from 10 universities in the USA participated in this study. Methods: Participants completed a 45-minute online survey with closed-ended and open-ended questions, administered via Qualtrics. Results: Election-related sociopolitical stress was high with notable differences across students' demographic backgrounds (e.g., Hispanic/Latinx students, women, and sexual minority students reported high sociopolitical stress). Among those who reported being stressed by the election (N = 448), closed-ended and open-ended data reveal coping strategies including self-care, drugs and alcohol, and further civic action/political participation. Higher sociopolitical stress predicted more depression and many coping strategies were related with flourishing. Conclusions: Young adult college students are experiencing election-related sociopolitical stress and are coping in different ways. More work is needed to understand what coping strategies support well-being. Implications for colleges are discussed.

Exploring civic behaviors amongst college students in a year of national unrest

This study examined the role of demographics, civic beliefs, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in association with distinct forms of civic participation. College students were recruited across 10 institutions of higher education to complete an online survey. Bivariate, multivariable linear, and logistic regressions were performed. Findings indicated that participants from traditionally marginalized backgrounds were more likely to engage in systemchallenging forms of civic participation and community engagement than those from more privileged backgrounds. Participants who rated high in critical reflection, viewed racism as a key issue, and were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were also more likely to engage in system-challenging forms of civic participation. Participants who endorsed beliefs supporting current systems of power were more likely to report they intended to vote. Results highlight implications for antiracist activism, community engagement, and traditional political civic behaviors.

An Upper-Division, Remote Microbiology Laboratory That Blends Virtual and Hands-on Components to Promote Student Success during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 shutdown forced many institutions of higher education to shift in-person teaching to emergency remote teaching. This was particularly challenging for laboratory courses, where students are expected to learn hands-on skills needed for their career goals. Here, we describe the transformation of an upper-division microbiology laboratory to a course that seamlessly integrates online simulations with safe, hands-on experiences that can be done from home. This blended lab course helped students attain learning outcomes similar to those achieved in the in-person class. We illustrate the implementation of Unknown Portfolios to help students gain the data analysis and critical thinking skills needed to identify an unknown microorganism. Our data show that students who took these online courses mastered material as well as students who took the lab in person, demonstrating proficiency in laboratory safety skills, hands-on techniques, and theoretical class content. Last, we explore online adaptations to enhance in-person lab classes, aiming at reducing the accessibility and equity gaps inherited in many courses, as well as discussing challenges that instructors might experience in this process.

Associations between emotional responses to the Trump presidency and activism among underrepresented college students

In the current study, we explored emotions related to the Trump presidency and their associations with types of activism among a sample of underrepresented college students. Participants in the current study included 303 underrepresented college students. We conducted structural equation modeling to assess associations between negatively valenced emotions in reaction to the Trump presidency and specific types of activism. Three categories of activism emerged: resource mobilization, collective action, and higher-accessibility activism. We found that anger was most consistently associated with participation in various types of activism. Fear was positively associated with participation in collective action, but only among those who felt personally affected by the Trump presidency. Among those who did not feel personally affected by the Trump presidency, sadness was associated with less frequent participation in higher-accessibility activism. Findings lend support to the notion that distinct emotional responses are associated with different types of political engagement.

Emerging Adults' Social Justice Engagement: Motivations, Barriers, and Social Identity

This study examines emerging adults' perceived motivations and barriers to social justice engagement, and how their social identities shape involvement. We conducted in-depth interviews with service-learning students (n = 30). Thematic analysis of interview data revealed that participants perceived several motivations and barriers to engagement, including the following: (a) the current political climate, (b) self-efficacy to make small-scale changes, (c) social support in action, (d) proximity to the social issue, (e) knowledge of resources, and (f) limited personal resources. Participants also described how their identities shaped engagement such that participants reflected upon their multiple privileged and marginalized identities and how their identities influenced their approach to engaging with a particular social issue. Findings have implications for recruiting and sustaining emerging adults' involvement in activities aimed at changing social issues.

Mental health in academia: Hacks for cultivating and sustaining wellbeing

Mental health concerns among university populations are on the rise. Faculty and students report increasing levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. These mental health crises reduce overall wellness and inhibit the educational process. We identify uncertainty, financial stress, disruptions to social networks, burnout, and the contemporary social/political climate as key triggers for mental health crises for faculty and students. Faculty are in a position to provide support to one another and their students and as such, we provide strategies that attend to these triggers and complement other forms of intervention. We do not intend these "hacks" to supplant structural change or reputable medical advice; rather, they are intended to help focus attention on the importance and magnitude of mental health concerns in academia and to offer some strategies that faculty can implement.

Race/Ethnicity, Parental Support, and Youth Depressive Symptoms: A Moderated Longitudinal Mediation Analysis

Racial/ethnic disparities in depression exist among youth in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine if parental support trajectories in adolescence explain the relationship between race/ethnicity and depressive symptom trajectories in adulthood. A two-step longitudinal parallel process analysis with multigroup structural equation modeling was conducted with a nationally representative sample of youth (N = 5300; 48.5% female; M = 13.33 (Range:12-15) years at baseline). While parental support trajectories did not mediate the relationship between race/ethnicity and depressive symptoms, parental support trajectories were related to depressive symptom trajectories in adulthood. Immigrant generation status also moderated the relationship between race/ethnicity and depressive symptom trajectories. The results demonstrate the impact of parental support on later mental health outcomes regardless of race/ethnicity.