Collegiate recovery programs and disordered eating: exploring subclinical behaviors among students in recovery

Calories and control: Eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Generation Z females

OBJECTIVE

This qualitative phenomenological study explored eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Gen Z females (born 1996-2002).

PARTICIPANTS

Ten participants met selection criteria: female aged 18-24 (thus, part of Gen Z), enrolled full-time at the University and able to share experiences. Maximum variation was sought for race/ethnicity, Greek life/sorority involvement and hometown regional area.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews elicited detailed descriptions of lived experiences. Data consisted of five face-to-face interviews and five Internet-based teleconferenced interviews. Saldana's First Cycle/Second Cycle constant comparative method was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes and four subthemes were identified: Blurred Lines (healthy versus disordered behaviors), Rationalizing Behaviors (Denial), Technological Influences (Social Media; Self-Worth), and Pandemic Influence.

CONCLUSION

Gen Z represents a pivotal population with diverse characteristics. These findings are helpful to health professionals, faculty, academic administrators, and others with vested interests in promoting healthier living, learning and work environments for this population.

Co-occurring mental and behavioral health conditions among collegiate recovery program members

Objective: This study describes the mental and behavioral health histories and treatment utilization among students enrolled in Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRPs), college-based supports for students who are in recovery from substance use or other comorbid disorders. Participants: Participants were 861 college students enrolled in five CRPs across the United States (44% female, 89% white, 91% undergraduate). Methods: De-identified student data, collected from 2019-2020, were harmonized and descriptively analyzed. Results: A majority of CRP students reported mental health and substance use treatment histories. Approximately one-third reported a history of eating disorders or other compulsive behaviors (46%) and 69% reported histories of mental health concerns. Results indicated a complex history of mental health and substance use recovery needs among students. Conclusions: Students attending CRPs reported a wide range of mental and behavioral health concerns in addition to substance use disorders, highlighting the need for continued support for these students' recovery and well-being at higher education institutions.

A Socio-Ecological Model for Collegiate Recovery Programs

Given the major public health issue of substance use in the college environment and among college students, we must improve our understanding of students attempting to resolve substance related issues. Though much of research and policy attention has focused on individual progress according to personal characteristics and experiences, a much broader, theoretically informed understanding based on interpersonal relationships and contextual conditions of the school and society is warranted. Collegiate recovery programs (CRPs) are a system-level intervention that acknowledges the individual in context and seeks to support them and capitalize on their own skills within a safe environment to practice recovery. To ground CRPs as an environmental support targeting emerging adults that can improve student health and well-being, we developed a social-ecological framework that conceptualizes the multifaceted factors that influence them. Specifically, we aimed to understand factors influencing individuals in CRPs through direct and indirect effects. This conceptualization will better inform the development, implementation, and evaluation of these programs. Our theory-driven framework elucidates the multi-level complexity of CRPs and the importance of individual interventions as well as intervention from multiple stakeholder groups.

College programming for students in addiction recovery: A PRISMA-guided scoping review

BACKGROUND

The health and well-being of students in recovery from substance use disorder are increasingly being recognized as a priority on college campuses. This scoping review maps the state of the existing literature evaluating collegiate recovery programming to highlight research gaps and inform policy.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic search of articles related to collegiate recovery programming published before August 2020. The 15 extracted study characteristics included publication type, study design, primary outcomes, reporting of behavioral addictions, mutual-help group attendance, sample demographic information, school size, ownership, and funding source.

RESULTS

The PRISMA-guided search strategy identified 357 articles for abstract review; of 113 articles retained for full-text review, 54 studies met criteria for inclusion. Primary outcomes were coded into four domains: clinical, recovery experience, program characterization, and stigma. Most (57%) used quantitative observational designs and 41% employed qualitative research designs. Government or foundation grants funded 11% of the studies.

CONCLUSION

The domains identified offer a framework for healthcare providers, college administrators, and researchers to understand and improve programs, thereby better serving this vulnerable student group.