Differential associations among psychological flexibility components, depressive symptoms and sense of belonging in first semester college students.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2025

Publisher

Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

Source Publication

Journal of American College Health

Source ISSN

0744-8481

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2446442

Abstract

Objective. The transition to college is associated with rising rates of depressive symptoms and decreased well-being. It is critical to identify protective psychological factors for this period. One possible protective factor is psychological flexibility, or the ability to pursue self-identified values despite distressing thoughts and emotions. This study examined associations among psychological flexibility components and well-being outcomes in first semester college students. Participants: The sample consisted of 238 diverse first-semester college students recruited from five universities. Method: Using structural equation modeling, we examined associations among three components of psychological flexibility and two dimensions of well-being (i.e., depressive symptoms and sense of belonging at college). Results: All three psychological flexibility components were associated with less severe depressive symptoms, but only valued action was associated with higher sense of belonging. Conclusions: Results highlight psychological flexibility as a novel set of resilience factors with differential associations with key outcomes during the transition to college.

Comments

Journal of American College Health, Vol. 73, No. 10 (January 2025): 3845-3854. DOI.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS