The relationship between financial strain, perceived stress, psychological symptoms, and academic and social integration in undergraduate students

Abstract

Objective: Financial strain may directly or indirectly (i.e., through perceived stress) impact students' psychological symptoms and academic and social integration, yet few studies have tested these relationships. The authors explored the mediating effect of perceived stress on the relationship between financial strain and 2 important outcomes: psychological symptomology and academic and social integration.

Participants: Participants were 157 undergraduate students. Data were collected from December 2013 to March 2014.

Methods: Cross-sectional data collection conducted using online survey software.

Results: It was found that perceived stress mediated the relationship between financial strain and (a) psychological symptomology and (b) academic and social integration. Both models included first-generation status as a covariate.

Conclusions: Results suggest that perceived stress is an important intervention target for reducing psychological symptoms and improving academic and social integration for undergraduate students. Implications for university health centers and mental health professionals include incorporating a public health model to minimize stress risk.

Keywords: Academic integration; financial strain; first-generation student; low-income student; mental health; perceived stress; social integration.

Figures

Figure 1

Model Illustrating how Financial Strain is Hypothesized to be Related to Perceived Stress, Psychological Symptomology, and Academic and Social Integration in Undergraduate Students.

Figure 2

Model Illustrating how Perceived Stress Mediates the Relationship Between Financial Strain and Psychological Symptomology with First-Generation Status as a Covariate. Note. All coefficients are standardized and were significant at the p < .01 level. Number in parenthesis indicates coefficient standard error. The c′ path is the direct effect of the predictor on the dependent variable. The total effect includes the mediator.

Figure 3

Model Illustrating how Perceived Stress Mediates the Relationship Between Financial Strain and Academic and Social Integration with First-Generation Status as a Covariate. Note. All coefficients are standardized and were significant at the p < .01 level. Number in parenthesis indicates coefficient standard error. The c′ path is the direct effect of the predictor on the dependent variable. The total effect includes the mediator.