Expanding a counseling intake form and examining psychosocial problems of university students

Abstract

This survey study attempted to determine the psychosocial problems of university students while updating an existing university counseling intake form. The updated form was expanded by adding some problem items and questions on student characteristics and prepared to be filled as an electronic form. The accessible population was students of a public university in İstanbul who were around 18-25 ages. The link to the survey form was shared to via e-mails and social media groups. The data were collected anonymously and analyzed cumulatively. Participants were 741 students, about two thirds being female. The problem areas that emerged as eight factors were career/future concerns, problems with affect, academic problems, relational issues, problems with culture, health concerns, addiction, and traumatic experiences, in order of prevalence. Females reported more problems in career/future, affect, culture, and health, while males reported more problems in addiction. English Preparatory students had less concerns about their career/future than undergraduate and graduate students. Involvement in extracurricular activities seemed to be protective factor for students’ future/career, academic problems, and relational issues. Students who were interested to live abroad reported more problems with culture and addiction. Students with history of receiving psychological help, and suicidal thoughts and attempts reported more problems in most areas. The practical implication of the study was that university students had serious career/future, academic and counseling needs that await being addressed by university administrations and policy makers.