The Myth of the Fragile College Student APRIL SCOTT, M.S.

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1 The Myth of the Fragile College Student APRIL SCOTT, M.S. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

2 You might be a millennial if Jeff Upworthy video

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4 Generation Z vs Millennials GEN Z Tech-savvy Independent Self-starters, entrepreneurs Digital Natives Selective social media sharing MILLENNIAL (Strauss & Howe) (Lancaster & Stillman, 2002) Collaborative Digital Pioneers Public social media sharing Instant messaging and communication Prefers face-to-face interaction Money-conscious

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7 Fragility: Myth or Fact? Helicopter parents Fragile Self absorbed Strong sense of entitlement Politically Correct Overly Sensitive The demand for counseling services and the severity of problems students present at UCCs have increased, (Benton, Robertson, Tseng, Newton, & Benton, 2003; Gabriel, 2010; Gallagher, 2010). Most UCC directors agree that the severity of concerns has increased significantly in the last decade, with students presenting with more extensive histories of psychological disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) as well as higher levels of suicidality, substance abuse, and eating disorders (Kitzrow, 2009).

8 What does the data say? Crisis U article Step by well-meaning step, colleges are being transformed into something more akin to mental health wards than citadels of learning. Hara Estroff Marano University Counseling Center (UCC) staff report an increase in severity of psychological disorders (Benton et al. 2003, Sing 94% of counseling center directors reported a steady increase in the number of college students with severe psychological problems (ACHA-NCHA, 2014). 89% reported an increase in the number of students arriving on campus who were already taking prescription medication for anxiety or depression. (ACHA-NCHA, 2014) Feelings of hopelessness in students Top 10 Physical and Mental Problems American College Health Association. American College Health Association - National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) Web Summary. Updated August Available at

9 What does the data say? Benton et al. (2003) longitudinal study Reviewed files across three time periods spanning 13 years compared scores on Case Descriptor List No statistically significant increases, although some trends emerged Kettman et al. (2007) study Random sample of 827 UCC clients over 7 years ( ) Reviewed six data points such as GAF score and Axis I* diagnoses No statistically significant increase in severity of psychopathology Schwartz (2015) reviewed PAI data from 4,775 clients over a 15 yr period ( ) from one UCC No change in severity or acuity among clients Similar findings in four other studies published between 1996 and 2007

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11 How does perception affect reality? Confirmation bias Minimizing other positive characteristics Ignoring role of culture and context Singal (2015) highlighted the effect of cuts to mental health services in the U.S., overtaxed counseling centers, shift in the role that colleges serve, and changes in the demographics of the student body JED foundation medical director, Victor Schwartz, believes labeling college students as fragile is an oversimplification of a complex issue and unfair to the students. He also notes that there is little to no evidence to support this belief

12 Working with Gen Z Global Citizens Interested non-traditional learning alternatives (online, YouTube videos) Reconsidering value of higher education Creative Learners Better multitaskers Better understanding of diversity Peer role models Open access learning Like provocative presentations Describes themselves as influential, thoughtful, and open-minded and loyal Have been told they must be entrepreneurial and have adopted that belief Believe education, employment, and racial equality as their greatest concerns Awareness of domestic and international troubles and traumas Want to advocate for causes they believe in Excerpt from Generation Z Goes to College (Seemlier & Grace, 2016)

13 Gen z in the classroom report Gen Z students (11-17 y.o.) n= Gen Z teachers n = 414

14 Working with Gen Z What types of relationships bring out the best in GenZers? Small highly defined work groups with a strong peer leader. Tight and well defined and observed chain of command. Teaching style leadership. Customer service style management Be authentic

15 Increasing Resilience Healthy environments to foster resilience Caring relationships High expectations Opportunities for participation and contribution Protective factors Social competence Autonomy Sense of purpose Internal locus of control Distress tolerance

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