The Relationship between Declared Major, Therapy Utilization Rates, and Psychological Functioning among College Students

ABSTRACT University students frequently face significant distress. With increasing rates of students accessing University Counseling Center (UCC) services, it is critical for UCCs to provide targeted prevention and intervention efforts. However, researchers have conducted minimal research regarding the relationship of students’ declared majors and mental health. Using archival data, this study investigated differences between students in different majors concerning 1) rates of treatment utilization, 2) distress levels at the onset of treatment, and 3) rates of recovery while in treatment. A total of 21,514 participants were included. Results suggest significant differences by major in UCC utilization rates, distress levels at treatment onset, and recovery rates during treatment. While some previous studies have grouped “hard science” majors and “soft science” majors, we suggest that a more nuanced approach may help to better understand students’ mental health needs. Implications for future research and recommendations for UCC intervention and prevention efforts are discussed.