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Abstract
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Single-parenting students face unique challenges that may adversely affect their mental health, which have not been explored in community college settings.
OBJECTIVE: The authors conducted secondary analysis of Spring 2013 data from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment to examine difficulties facing single-parent community college students and the association between single parenting and negative mental health (depression, self-injury, suicide attempt). Participants: Participants were 6,832 California community college students, of whom 309 were single parents.
METHODS: Demographic and mental health data were characterized using univariate descriptive analyses. Bivariate analyses determined whether single parents differed from other students regarding negative mental health or traumatic/difficult events.
RESULTS: Finances, family, and relationship difficulties disproportionally affected single parents, who reported nearly twice as many suicide attempts as their counterparts (5.3% vs 2.7%; p <.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: Single-parenting students face a higher prevalence of mental health stressors than other community college students.
Language: en |