Mullins AJ, Gamwell KL, Sharkey CM, Bakula DM, Tackett AP, Suorsa KI, Chaney JM, Mullins LL. Illness uncertainty and illness intrusiveness as predictors of depressive and anxious symptomology in college students with chronic illnesses.
JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2017;
65:352-360. [PMID:
28362166 DOI:
10.1080/07448481.2017.1312415]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To examine predictors of psychological functioning in college students with chronic illnesses.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants (N = 1413) included 364 students with self-reported diagnoses of asthma or allergies, 148 students with other chronic illnesses (eg, epilepsy, type 1 diabetes), and 901 healthy students. Data were collected between November 2013 and May 2015.
METHODS
Participants completed online measures of psychosocial functioning, including illness uncertainty, illness intrusiveness, depression, and anxiety.
RESULTS
Students with chronic illnesses other than asthma or allergies evidenced the greatest levels of anxious (p <. 05), but not depressive symptomology. Additionally, this group reported greater illness uncertainty and intrusiveness (p <. 05) compared to their peers. Uncertainty and intrusiveness independently predicted depressive and anxious symptoms for students in both illness groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Compared to peers with asthma or allergies, college students with other chronic illnesses reported higher levels of anxious symptoms. Illness uncertainty and intrusiveness appear to be predictors of psychological distress, regardless of illness.
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