The brief symptom inventory-18 (BSI-18): Norms for an Irish third-level college sample
Abstract
A baseline assessment of mental health status was conducted in an Irish third-level student population. In addition to a number of other measures, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18), a relatively new and unexamined measure in the Irish context, was administered. Based on a quota sample, data were collected from a sample of 763 participants. In line with previous findings, females reported significantly higher levels of symptomatology than males on all three subscales (Somatization, Depression and Anxiety) and the Global Severity Index. Final year students were also noted to have significantly worse mental health than non-final year students. In addition, differences were noted between the present Irish female sample and US women in BSI-18 scores. Results support the use of the BSI-18 in Ireland. The development of specific Irish norms is therefore proposed and provisional norms for third-level college students are provided.
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College students may be at particular risk of mental health problems.
“previous research by Houghton and colleagues indicated that college students may be at particular risk of mental health problems (2012).”
From A randomised controlled trial of brief web-based acceptance and commitment Therapy on the general mental health, depression, anxiety and stress of college Students (2022) · cites this paper as Houghton et al., 2012
The level of mental health problems among third-level students was estimated to continue to rise as a result of stressors such as financial concerns, pressures to excel in their studies, and meeting ever increasing social and personal expectations.
“According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) in the UK (2003), the level of mental health problems among third-level students was estimated to continue to rise as a result of stressors such as financial concerns, pressures to excel in their studies, and meeting ever increasing social and personal expectations (Connell et al., 2007; Houghton et al., 2012).”
From A randomised controlled trial of brief web-based acceptance and commitment Therapy on the general mental health, depression, anxiety and stress of college Students (2022) · cites this paper as Houghton et al., 2012
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- Authors
- Houghton, F., Keane, N., Murphy, N., Houghton, S., Dunne, C., Lewis, C. A., & Breslin, M. J.
- Affiliations
- Limerick Institute of Technology (IE)
- University of Limerick (IE)
- University College Cork (IE)
- Wrexham University (GB)
- University of Ulster (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Houghton, Frank
- Venue
- The Irish Journal of Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2012-03
- Volume
- 33
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 43-62
- ISSN
- 0303-3910 (ISSN-L)
- 2158-0812
- OpenAlex
- W2155953614
- Cited by
- 13
- References
- 67
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.29
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Irish Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
- Keywords
- Brief Symptom Inventory-18, university students, student mental health, somatization, depression, anxiety, year of study, Irish students
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