Year
2024
Season
Spring
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science in Psychological Science (MSPS)
Department
Psychology
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Paul Fuglestad
Second Advisor
Dr. Lori Lange
Department Chair
Dr. Lori Lange
Abstract
College-aged students are disproportionately represented among groups experiencing serious mental illness, and yet treatment utilization and engagement are low and unstable (ACHA, 2020; O’Brien et al., 2009). The current study utilized Leventhal et al.’s (1984, 2016) CSM-SR to longitudinally (a) examine differences in depression beliefs and coping strategies as a function of depression severity and treatment exposure, (b) examine depression beliefs as a predictor of treatment intentions, (c) examine illness representations and coping strategies over time, and (d) test CSM-SR causal relationships. College students (n =181 at baseline and n =137 at Time 1) completed demographic items, measures of illness representations, depression severity, treatment barriers, and coping strategies at baseline and again 3 months later. Participants were grouped according to depression severity: minimal/mild (n = 46), moderate (n = 56), or severe (n = 79), and treatment exposure: never received (n = 42), received in past (n = 70), or currently receiving (n = 59). Numerous significant differences were found across illness representations, coping, and treatment barriers as a function of depression severity and treatment exposure. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated baseline treatment control beliefs (β = .20, p < .05) and perceived negative value (β = -0.24, p < .05) significantly predicted treatment intentions at Time 1. Repeated measures ANCOVAs revealed several illness representations changed over time, but only consequence beliefs changed as a function of baseline treatment exposure. Tests of mediation revealed significant indirect effects of baseline illness representations on depression severity, primarily through avoidant coping. Our study demonstrates the relevance of the CSM-SR in college student mental health contexts. Overall, findings contribute to our understanding of the complexities surrounding depression experiences and depression management in college students and highlight the importance of tailored interventions.
Suggested Citation
Smith, Ashley, "Illness representations as a predictor of depression severity and treatment seeking in college students" (2024). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1279.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1279