Predicting functional decline in at-risk college students

Abstract

Objective: To determine the predictive value of childhood trauma, a family history of mental illness, resilience, depressive symptoms, and psychotic symptoms on functional decline in a Boston college student population. Methods: This study is an analysis of a subset of cross-sectional and longitudinal questionnaire data from a project entitled "A Multi-Site, Collaborative, University-Based Program for the Prevention of Youth Suicide" conducted by the Massachusetts General Hospital Depression and Clinical Research Program. This study analyzes data from screenings at two Universities in the Boston area, at which 475 subjects filled out questionnaires assessing a variety of mental health domains and psychological functioning. Subjects with initial elevated scores on depression, psychosis, and suicidality measures (N=183) were followed over time and completed online questionnaires reassessing these mental-health and functional domains one month and thirteen months later via online questionnaires. Pearson's Correlations were used to determine correlates of poor functioning at baseline. Additionally, linear regression was used to assess how baseline childhood trauma, a family history of mental illness, resilience, depressive symptoms, and psychotic symptoms predicted change in functioning, measured one year later. [TRUNCATED]