Perceived Academic Control: Mediating the Effects of Optimism and Social Support on College Students' Psychological Health

Autor/inn/en	Ruthig, Joelle C.; Haynes, Tara L.; Stupnisky, Robert H.; Perry, Raymond P.
Titel	Perceived Academic Control: Mediating the Effects of Optimism and Social Support on College Students' Psychological Health
Quelle	In: Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal, 12 (2009) 2, S.233-249 (17 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1381-2890
DOI	10.1007/s11218-008-9079-6
Schlagwörter	Depression (Psychology); College Freshmen; College Environment; Longitudinal Studies; Student Attitudes; Social Support Groups; Predictor Variables; Mental Health; Stress Variables; Academic Ability; Self Efficacy + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Studienanfänger; Hochschulumwelt; Longitudinal study; Longitudinal method; Longitudinal methods; Längsschnittuntersuchung; Schülerverhalten; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Prädiktor; Psychohygiene; Self-efficacy; Selbstwirksamkeit
Abstract	The first year of college presents numerous challenges experienced as overwhelming by some freshmen who may become overly stressed and depressed. This longitudinal study examined perceived academic control (PAC) as a mediator of optimism and social support's buffering effects on freshman students' psychological health. Multiple regressions assessed optimism and social support (at the start of the academic year) as predictors of year-end stress and depression among 288 freshmen. PAC (at the start of the year) was then examined as a mediator of the effects of optimism and support. Lastly, stress and depression were assessed as predictors of year-end degree commitment and cumulative GPA. As expected, optimism and support predicted less stress and depression, yet their beneficial effects were mediated by students' PAC. Depression subsequently predicted less year-end degree commitment and lower cumulative GPAs. PAC mediates the protective effects of optimism and support, providing additional protection for students against poor psychological health. Findings have implications for shielding students' health against the demands of the freshman year. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10