Mental Health and High-Achieving STEM Scholars

• In Event: 44.084 - Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: 44.084-16 - Student Resiliency and Agency in STEM

Abstract

This study highlights mental health differences among men and women participating in an undergraduate STEM program aimed at underrepresented minorities and women. We apply London, Rosenthal, Levy, and Lobel’s (2011) STEM Engagement Framework to survey data and academic records at the end of a summer bridge experience and at the end of the first academic year to explore possible shielding factors that lead to more positive mental health outcomes of this high achieving group. We identified a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms among women at the beginning of the program but once within college programmatic experiences were introduced into the model gender differences on the mental health outcome were eliminated.

Authors

• Leticia Oseguera, The Pennsylvania State University

• Maria Javiera de los Rios, The Pennsylvania State University

• Hyun Ju Park, Pennsylvania State University

• Elyzza Aparicio