The Role of Trauma, Mental Health Symptoms, and Suicidality in College Adjustment among Young Adults with a Foster Care Background

College is associated with positive outcomes in adulthood. However, many students with foster care backgrounds face challenges transitioning into college settings. Young adults with foster care backgrounds also experience mental health conditions and suicidal ideation at a higher rate than their same aged peers. This study examined the relationship between trauma experiences, mental health symptomology, suicidal behaviors and college adjustment among a sample of college students with a foster care background. Findings indicated that depressive symptoms were associated with educational functioning and psychological functioning; and anxiety symptoms and the impact of childhood trauma were associated with relational functioning. This study's findings have implications for student affairs staff working with students with a foster care background prior to enrollment and while students are on campus. Practitioners should ensure adequate trauma-informed assessment, treatment, and focus on students' mental health while in college to promote overall well-being and college retention and success

Developmental psychology · Foster care · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Mental health · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicide prevention · Young adult · Child Welfare and Adoption · Clinical Psychology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Reproductive Health and Technologies

• Transition-Age Youth in Foster Care

  Open Access•Daniel J Gibbs, Grace Bagwell Adams et al.•Families in Society The Journal…•2026

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