Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Thesis (UNI Access Only)

Keywords

Attention-deficit disorder in adults;

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate symptoms of non-suicidal self-injury in relation to symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during the transition to college in a sample of 143 undergraduate college students. Past research has demonstrated that ADHD persists over time and is significantly linked with internalizing problems, such as depression and anxiety. These problems are significant risk factors for non-suicidal self-injury. We predicted that ADHD and internalizing symptoms would predict higher rates of self-harm, and that these variables would predict poor overall outcomes in the transition to college (lower college readiness, poor coping skills, lower GPA and second-semester enrollment). These hypotheses were partially supported; however, internalizing symptoms primarily predicted worse outcomes in the current sample, rather than ADHD. These results are not consistent with prior literature on ADHD in a college setting, because in the current sample, while ADHD is associated with higher rates of NSSI and poorer academic functioning, ADHD itself was not necessarily predictive of these poorer outcomes. Further empirical investigation is necessary to develop interventions that may improve quality of life, the college transition for students with higher rates of ADHD, depressive, and anxious symptoms, such as targeted intervention or prevention programs to help foster resiliency and improved psychological well-being for college students with neurodevelopmental and psychological disorders, and improved clinical training for university mental health providers. Further discussion of limitations, future directions, and clinical implications are included below.

Year of Submission

2019

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Lefler, Chair

Date Original

2019

Object Description

1 PDF file (viii, 94 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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