Citation

Liu SR, Kia-Keating M, Modir S. J. Am. Coll. Health 2017; 65(5): 323-330.

Affiliation

University of California , Santa Barbara.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2017.1312412

PMID

28362248

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To understand predictors of first year college adjustment in the context of collective trauma, including a school shooting. PARTICIPANTS: Two consecutive years of entering freshman (Year 1 (Y1) N = 169, Year 2 (Y2) N = 94) were surveyed over time: Y1 in October 2012 and March 2013, and Y2 in October 2013 and August 2014. During Y2, several collective traumas occurred, impacting the campus community and providing a stark comparison.

METHODS: Online surveys measuring predictors at the start of each year and adjustment at the end of each year.

RESULTS: Hope was the only significant predictor of adjustment when included in a regression model with depression symptoms in Y1, and with depression symptoms, baseline post-traumatic stress symptoms, and traumatic exposure in Y2.

CONCLUSIONS: Fostering hope may promote college adjustment, regardless of collective traumas that might occur on campus.

Language: en

Keywords

collective trauma; college adjustment; hope; posttraumatic stress; school shooting