title: A comparative study of campus experiences of college students with mental illnesses versus a general college sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Examine campus experiences and relationships of college students with mental illnesses compared to general student norms using the College Student Experiences Questionnaire to understand potential sources of distress and retention issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Responses were obtained from 449 former and current students with mental illnesses from more than 300 colleges and universities around the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed an online survey available from July 2005 to July 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis of variance and t test results indicate that college students with mental illnesses report less engagement on campus and poorer relationships, and that these factors were associated with lower graduation rates. Students reporting they were treated differently "most of the time" because of a mental illness had the lowest levels of engagement and poorest relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More attention is needed to developing interventions that enhance social functioning and engagement and address stigma on campus in order to reduce distress and enhance retention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122, USA. msalzer@temple.edu
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Salzer
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012919:Social Behavior; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities