Perceived effect of pediatric inflammatory bowel diseases on academics, college planning, and college adjustment

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the relationship between perceived effect of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) on high school academics and college planning on college adjustment. Participants: Participants (N = 97) were college students with IBD. Methods: Participants completed an online survey including the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire and study-developed questions assessing the perceived impact of their diagnosis on their high school academics and college planning. Results: Most participants reported average college adjustment across domains, except personal-emotional adjustment with 47% of participants falling within the very low to low ranges. Nearly half reported IBD impacted their choice of college (49%). The impact of IBD on college planning was most consistently associated with domains of college adjustment. Conclusions: IBD severely impacts college planning, decision-making, and adjustment in college-bound youth. Perceiving that having a chronic illness impacts college planning may result in greater difficulty with academic adjustment, attachment to the institution, and social adjustment during college.

Keywords: College adjustment; inflammatory bowel diseases; school functioning.