Bloomfield Laura S P, Fudolig Mikaela Irene, Kim Julia N, Llorin Jordan, Lovato Juniper, McGinnis Ellen W, McGinnis Ryan S, Price Matthew, Ricketts Taylor H, Sheridan Dodds Peter, Stanton Kathryn, Danforth Christopher M
University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.
Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
JAACAP Open. 2024 Oct 18;3(3):805-816. doi: 10.1016/j.jaacop.2024.08.004. eCollection 2025 Sep.
The transition to college is a period of growth and vulnerability for young adult health and well-being and provides a critical window for potential behavioral interventions. In this study, we sought to examine the trajectory of anxiety symptoms and their association with individual characteristics, exposure to stressors, and sleep behaviors during the transition to college.
We recruited full-time, incoming undergraduate students at a university in the northeastern United States to participate during the first semester of college between October 21, 2022, and December 12, 2022. In a longitudinal cohort study (N = 556), we collected baseline demographic and health history information and weekly survey assessments with the outcome measure of anxiety. Predictors included weekly stressors and sleep measures during this period. Mixed-effects linear models were used to examine trajectories in anxiety symptoms during the first semester of college.
We had 6 main findings. First, there were significantly higher anxiety symptoms in non-male participants compared to male participants. Second, a previous mental health diagnosis and previous traumatic exposures were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms. Third, the personality traits of extraversion and neuroticism were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms. Fourth, perceived sleep duration, quality, and satisfaction were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms. Fifth, sleep duration estimates collected by a biometric wearable were also a significant predictor of anxiety in covariate-adjusted, corrected models. Sixth, weekly stressors and specifically academic stressors were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms.
Programs that support young adults entering college may promote sleep hygiene behaviors and target times of particularly elevated stress such as examination periods.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: We worked to ensure that the study questionnaires were prepared in an inclusive way. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science. We actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our author group. We actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our author group. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote sex and gender balance in our reference list. While citing references scientifically relevant for this work, we also actively worked to promote inclusion of historically underrepresented racial and/or ethnic groups in science in our reference list. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as a member of one or more historically underrepresented sexual and/or gender groups in science. One or more of the authors of this paper self-identifies as living with a disability.
向大学过渡的时期是青少年健康和幸福成长与易受伤害的阶段，为潜在的行为干预提供了关键窗口。在本研究中，我们试图研究焦虑症状的轨迹及其与个体特征、接触压力源以及向大学过渡期间睡眠行为的关联。
我们招募了美国东北部一所大学的全日制本科新生，于2022年10月21日至2022年12月12日大学第一学期期间参与研究。在一项纵向队列研究（N = 556）中，我们收集了基线人口统计学和健康史信息，并每周进行一次以焦虑为结果指标的调查评估。预测因素包括在此期间的每周压力源和睡眠指标。使用混合效应线性模型来研究大学第一学期焦虑症状的轨迹。
我们有6个主要发现。第一，与男性参与者相比，非男性参与者的焦虑症状明显更高。第二，先前的心理健康诊断和先前的创伤暴露是焦虑症状的重要预测因素。第三，外向性和神经质的人格特质是焦虑症状的重要预测因素。第四，感知到的睡眠时间、质量和满意度是焦虑症状的重要预测因素。第五，通过生物识别可穿戴设备收集的睡眠时间估计值在协变量调整后的校正模型中也是焦虑的重要预测因素。第六，每周压力源，特别是学业压力源是焦虑症状的重要预测因素。
支持刚进入大学的年轻人的项目可能会促进睡眠卫生行为，并针对压力特别大的时期，如考试期间。
我们努力确保研究问卷以包容的方式编制。本文的一位或多位作者自我认同为科学领域中一个或多个历史上代表性不足的种族和/或族裔群体的成员。我们积极努力促进作者群体中的性别平衡。我们积极努力促进作者群体中纳入科学领域历史上代表性不足的种族和/或族裔群体。在引用与这项工作科学相关的参考文献时，我们也积极努力促进参考文献列表中的性别平衡。在引用与这项工作科学相关的参考文献时，我们也积极努力促进参考文献列表中纳入科学领域历史上代表性不足的种族和/或族裔群体。本文的一位或多位作者自我认同为科学领域中一个或多个历史上代表性不足的性取向和/或性别群体的成员。本文的一位或多位作者自我认同为残疾人士。
