Academic Advising, Research Opportunities, and Mental Health Among Emerging Adults at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

• In Event: Research In Progress Roundtable Session 5
  In Invited Roundtable: Mentorship, Culture, and Engagement in Higher Education (Table 16)

Abstract

This study examines how academic advising and research opportunities are associated with the mental health of undergraduate students in two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Data was collected from 446 students aged 18–24 at two California HSIs, who completed an online survey during the 2023-2024 academic year. Participants were first and second-year students and transfer students recruited for the NIH-funded 3E Study: Economic and Educational Contributions to Emerging Adult Cardiometabolic Health. A preliminary analysis using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression analyses revealed that high-quality academic advising was significantly associated with reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, while research participation showed no significant mental health benefits. These findings highlight the critical role of advisors in supporting students’ well-being and addressing inequities in higher education.

Authors

• Sofia Marques Viana Ulisses, University of California - Riverside

• Omisha Sangani, University of California - Riverside

• Robert K. Ream, University of California - Riverside

• Lindsay Till Hoyt, Fordham University

• Lucia Calderon, University of California - San Francisco

• Alison Klebanoff Cohen, University of California - San Francisco