The links between depressive and anxious symptoms, social support and vocational identity on college students’ adaptation during the transition from high school to college
This longitudinal study aims to compare the effect of three covariates, perceived support of parents, perceived support of peers and vocational identity, measured in the first year of college on adaptation, to compare the effect of depressive and anxiety symptoms measured during the last year of high school and in the first year of college on adaptation and to examine the moderating effects of the three covariates in the links between depressive and anxious symptoms and college students’ adaptation. A sample of 247 students enrolled in the first year of a college completed self-administered questionnaires during the first semester. The results indicate that the vocational identity stands out in relation to perceived support of parents and peers for its positive effect on all areas of adaptation. The presence of internalized symptoms remains a determining factor on adaptation of new college students. Moreover, in comparison, depressive symptoms are more strongly related to college adaptation than anxiety symptoms.