Citation

Woodhead EL, Chin-Newman C, Spink K, Hoang M, Smith SA. J. Am. Coll. Health 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Teaching and Learning, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2019.1706533

PMID

31944929

Abstract

Objective: To explore, in two studies, student experiences with disclosing diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health problems to faculty, staff, and peers. Participants: Participants for both studies were college students at two 4-year public universities. Study 1 was conducted in June 2016 and Study 2 in August 2017. Methods: In Study 1, participants had a formal diagnosis of a mental health condition, were registered for accommodations, and completed semi-structured interviews (n = 6). In Study 2, participants (n = 66) were mostly non-diagnosed and completed an online survey. Results: Study 1 interviews were coded for interactions with faculty (52% positive, 40% negative), staff (100% positive), and peers (31% positive, 54% negative). In Study 2, participants reported better experiences disclosing to peers than faculty. Disclosure experience varied by type of mental health problem. Conclusions: Collaboration across campus and community agencies will better support students with diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health problems.

Language: en

Keywords

Accommodations; college students; disability; disclosure; mental health