Does size matter? A comparison of self-reports of mental health concerns of student-athletes in a large and medium-sized university

WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Brandy Lynn Burns (Creator)
Institution
Western Carolina University (WCU )
Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Advisor
Jonathan Campbell

Abstract: The prevalence of mental health disorders among college students has increased nearly 50% in the last decade, with over 60% of college students meeting the criteria for one or more mental health problems. Student-athletes, in particular, garner significant attention due to their elevated risk for mental health concerns. Research consistently highlights heightened mental health issues among student-athletes compared to their non-athlete peers. Despite this evidence, utilization of mental health services among student-athletes remains disproportionately low, with only 10% of student-athletes seeking help for their mental health concerns compared to 30% of the general student population. School size may also impact access to mental health services, with counseling centers at large institutions often having a higher student-to-counseling staff ratio than medium-sized and smaller schools. However, the average wait time for a student's first appointment is the longest in medium-sized schools. The current study will examine the prevalence of self-reported mental health problems among student-athletes in a medium-sized university, as indicated by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, 3rd Edition (MMPI-3), and compare these findings with the reported prevalence in the same population in a large university. These numbers will then be compared against the normative sample.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2024
Subjects
College students
Mental health
College athletes
Students—Mental health
Universities and colleges

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