College Students' Reported Financial Stress and Its Relationship to Psychological Distress

Abstract

This study examined how financial stress was related to psychological distress as measured by the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms–62 (Locke et al., 2011). Data were collected from students seeking psychological services at a large midwestern university. Results indicated that higher levels of financial stress are associated with greater family distress, academic distress, overall distress, and lower grade point average. Group differences are presented and discussed. Suggestions for addressing financial stress in counseling are provided.