(PS2-3) Comparing Generalized Anxiety, Asthma-specific Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue Outcomes in College Students with and Without Asthma Symptoms

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects 9.5% of young adults ages 20-24 in the U.S. Existing literature among adults shows that asthma severity is associated with significant mental health symptoms and fatigue. Despite being a distinct mental health risk, the impact of asthma symptoms on mental health is unknown among college students, a group who often experiences psychological distress from balancing academic, personal, and career responsibilities. The present study examines asthma symptoms in college students and its association with mental and physical health symptoms. More specifically, we test whether those with asthma symptoms experience more group differences in mental health (i.e. generalized and asthma-related anxiety, depression) and physical (i.e., fatigue) symptoms compared to students with no asthma symptoms. A total of 984 college students (Mage=19.96 +/- 4.286, 64% female), that were racially and ethnically diverse (71% non-White), were recruited from five public colleges in New York City. Participants completed measures online for their psychology course assignment assessing asthma symptom severity and control (Asthma Impairment and Risk Questionnaire), asthma-related anxiety (Youth Asthma-Related Anxiety Scale), generalized anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory II), and fatigue (Fatigue Symptom Inventory). The sample consisted of 18% with a self-reported asthma diagnosis, 17% with asthma-like symptoms (not diagnosed), and 64.7% with no asthma symptoms. A one-way ANOVA showed significant differences on study measures among the asthma groups. Post hoc Tukey tests showed that compared to those with no asthma diagnosis, both the asthma and asthma-like symptom groups reported significantly higher generalized anxiety, depressive symptoms, and fatigue. Asthma severity was significantly higher in students in the asthma-like symptom group compared to the asthma-diagnosis group (all p</span>< .001). There were no differences between groups on asthma-related anxiety. Over a third (approximately 35%) of students in this public, urban college sample reported asthma symptoms, suggesting a significant health burden, with many likely experiencing undiagnosed or uncontrolled asthma. Findings underscore how asthma symptoms are related with increased psychological distress and fatigue, which can add upon existing mental health symptoms in the college student population. Social determinants of health (e.g. health care access and quality, neighborhood, surrounding environment) are known to contribute to health inequities, which in turn shape mental health outcomes among marginalized groups, some of which are represented in public urban colleges. This connection has significant implications, as it can interfere with students' ability to manage their academic, social, and personal responsibilities during this pivotal developmental stage. Future research should further examine the impact of asthma symptoms on college students’ academics, mental and physical health, and day-to-day activities.