Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with behavioral health challenges and high school dropout, and behavioral health is associated with high school dropout. Less is known about the role of behavioral health challenges in the relationship between ACEs and high school dropout. Methods: Using data from the Panel Study of…

Adolescence is a period of growth, independence, and exploration, with increased curiosity and risk-taking behaviors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021b). Evidence has shown an increase in mental health concerns during adolescence, including suicidal behaviors (CDC, 2023b; Plemmons et al., 2018; Yard et al., 2021), as well as…

Background: The school climate concept has been promising, but has long-standing critiques that have not been adequately addressed to date. The "School as a Protective Factor" approach represents one attempt to offer a new approach that builds on and extends beyond the concept of school climate while addressing previously identified…

Community-based learning (CBL) is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic theory and content with active service in an applied setting. CBL is especially well suited for teaching about complex social issues. We present the case study of a psychology course on substance use recovery that leverages CBL to dismantle stereotypes,…

To help guide school mental health policy and practice, we evaluated patterns of mental health help-seeking across lifetime adversity among sixth-grade adolescents. An ethnically/socioeconomically diverse sample of sixth-graders (N = 751) self-completed assessments of help-seeking and indicators of lifetime adversities: violence victimization,…

School connectedness is an important factor in the lives of youth and are a leverage point for optimizing youth's social, emotional, and physical health. This study presents a meta-analysis examining the relationship between school connectedness and four health domains that are prevalent in adolescence, have implications for adult health, and…

Youth with mental illness struggle to receive essential behavioral health care. One obstacle is denial of coverage by insurance. In California, managed care consumers may apply for independent medical review (IMR) which potentially overturns an insurance denial through the California Department of Managed Healthcare (CDMHC). The authors aim to…

Help-seeking is uncommon among college students with substance use concerns. Perceived access to services is associated with greater help-seeking behavior. This study identifies substance use-related risk factors associated with awareness of campus counseling services. College students aged 18 to 25 (N = 995) self-administered a web-based survey,…

Objective: Food service employment is associated with substance use, risk of substance use disorders and various negative consequences. Previous research has not examined the substance use patterns of students employed in food service positions. Method: During Fall of 2018, 276 undergraduates completed an anonymous online survey regarding current…

Objective: This study was designed to assess the relationship between mental health service utilization and heavy episodic drinking (HED) after controlling for demographic and student-level variables. Participants: A national sample of college undergraduate respondents to the 2017--2018 Healthy Minds Study survey (n = 67,427). Methods:…

Objective: To evaluate sleep continuity, timing, quality, and disorder in relation to suicidal ideation and attempts among college students. Participants: Eight hundred eighty-five undergraduates aged 18-25 in the southwestern United States. Methods: Participants completed questionnaires on sleep, suicide risk, mental health, and substance use.…

Objective: To assess the influence of specific COVID-19 impacts on college student depression, loneliness, and alcohol and cannabis use, and to investigate if resilience moderates these relationships. Participants: Data were collected from students (N = 1849, 80.9% white, 66.6% female) at a midwestern university during the 2021 winter/spring…

Rural adolescents are at a greater risk for substance abuse and other mental health challenges. There is a need for enhanced evidence-based prevention efforts. This case study evaluated both remote and in-person instruction of "Second Step®", a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum aimed to improve school-based prevention efforts.…

This study examines the relationships between living arrangements and educational outcomes, access to LGBTQ-affirming care, sexual and gender minority (SGM) stressors, and mental health. Bivariate analyses were implemented to examine relationships between living arrangements and academic outcomes, SGM stressors, access to care, and alcohol and…

Objectives: This study assessed undergraduates' sleep in Hawai?i during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether demographic characteristics, health locus of control, substance use and campus features related to sleep outcomes. Implications are considered for programs to support students' sleep and health during pandemic conditions. Participants: About…