Work

Teasing Apart the Effect of Depression Specific and Anxiety Specific Symptoms on Academic Outcomes

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Research shows that adolescents' performance in school can be negatively affected by depression and anxiety. However, past studies have used nonspecific measures of depression and anxiety that preclude researchers from understanding their unique effects. The current study addressed this gap in the literature by teasing apart the effects of depression specific and anxiety specific symptoms on end of semester grade point average (GPA) and the likelihood of dropping a course. We used a 3-month longitudinal design with a sample of 130 United States (U.S.) undergraduates. Results showed that only cumulative GPA and ACT score predicted end of semester GPA. However, high levels of anxiety specific (anxious arousal), but not depression specific (anhedonia), symptoms predicted whether or not a student dropped a course. These results suggest that targeting anxiety specific symptoms in schools may be effective in improving academic outcomes.

Source: Clinical Psychology and Special Education

DOI: 10.17759/cpse.2020090307

Authors: E.L. Gorman, H.H. Burke, L.G. Rubino, I. Vargas, G.J. Haeffel

Institutions: University of Notre Dame, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Language: English

Topic: Student Stress and Coping

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute