The Compound Challenges of Material Hardship and Mental Health Conditions Among Community College Students

• In Event: 35.080 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Five - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 35.080-4 - Critical Issues in Higher Education: Supporting Students With Disability, Mental Health Challenges, and Food Insecurity

Abstract

Material hardship and mental health problems are barriers to student success, but they are often examined in isolation, ignoring potential compound effects. We use data from a national study of community college students to examine the co-occurrence of these challenges and investigate the support systems that students in need rely on for help. Findings indicate that students who report food and/or housing insecurity are significantly more likely to report mental health challenges, net of background factors. Among materially secure students, those with mental health challenges report higher levels of social support, but social support does not vary by mental health status for students struggling with material hardship. Efforts to support students should consider material and mental well-being more holistically.

Authors

• Katharine Broton, University of Iowa

• Mitchell David Lingo, University of Iowa