Minority status, depression and suicidality among counseling center clients.

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Academic Journal

Kalibatseva Z; Social and Behavioral Sciences, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey, USA.
Bathje GJ; Adler University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Wu IHC; Department of Health Disparities Research, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Bluestein BM; Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Leong FTL; Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Collins-Eaglin J; Associate Dean of Students for Personal Success and Wellness, Pomona College, Claremont, California, USA.

Journal of American college health : J of ACH [J Am Coll Health] 2022 Jan; Vol. 70 (1), pp. 295-304. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Apr 28.

English

Objective This study examined race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and financial stress and their association with depression and suicidality among university counseling center clients. Methods: The sample included 3,189 participants who received services at a university counseling center. Results: Asian American college students reported more depressive symptoms than European American and Hispanic students and were more likely to have a depression diagnosis than European American and African American students. Female and lesbian/gay/bisexual/questioning (LGBQ) individuals had higher depressive symptom scores, were more likely to have a depression diagnosis, and history of suicidal ideation and attempts than male and heterosexual individuals, respectively. Students with high financial stress reported higher depression scores and were more likely to have experienced past and current suicidality. More minority statuses were associated with higher risk for depression and suicidality. Conclusions: Counseling center clients who identified with one or more minority groups had higher risk for depression and suicidality.