Early Psychological Distress is a Precursor to College Men's Later Academic and Social Adjustment

What predicts college men's academic and social adjustment in the transition to college? We used a short-term prospective study design to examine the effects of early psychological distress on later reports of college adjustment (academic and social) using a sample of first semester college men (N = 216; ages 18-21). Greater reported levels of distress at T1 (first week of the semester) were associated with lower levels of academic and social adjustment at T3 (last week of the semester). Reports of loneliness and neuroticism at T2 (middle of the semester) partially mediated these relationships. Implications for college administrators and retention efforts during the transition to college are discussed.