title: [Analysis of psychic problems of university students continuing their studies for a significantly longer time than the average].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Keniston introduced the term 'postadolescence' to describe the spreading phenomenon of young people not seceding from their parents and remaining in a functional child role longer. One aspect of this phenomenon is the increased time of studies. Research about postadolescent students struggling with their studies is scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  I analysed the psychopathological features, family dynamic specialties, cognitive style of 12 university students characterised by significant delay in the duration of their studies as a major problem, or associated with other symptoms, whom I examined and/or treated between 01/01/2004 and 12/31/2009. I analysed the data of students who could not finish the first 2 study years in 4 years, or could not complete their studies during the recommended duration within 2 extra years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  9 of the 12 (7 male, 5 female) examined students had an Axis I. diagnosis according to DSM-IV-TR., with high comorbidity. 8 patients suffered from personality disorder. The family environment as well as parents' and partners' attitudes were often pathological: they either had irrealistic expectations about the students' performance, or played an important role in maintaining the pathological balance by not setting any requirements, hereby maintaining the pathological state. The students, partners and parents were often characterised by dysfunctional attitudes, maladaptive cognitive schemas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Behind delayed studies there is often severe mental disorder with marked dysfunctional cognitive functioning which needs to be treated. The treatment options of the students' mental problems include pharmacotherapy and/or individual psychotherapy, often accompanied by systemic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Pszichiátriai és Pszichoterápiás Magánrendelés, Debrecen, Hungary. katalin.tolvay@gmail.com
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tolvay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult