Risk behaviours and psychopathology among higher education students

Abstract

The current study was designed to examine differences between a clinical and nonclinical sample of higher education students regarding risk behavioursand psychopathology. A clinical sample of 73 participants and a nonclinical sample of 78 participants were evaluated through the following instruments: a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Risk Behaviours Questionnaire for University Students and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Comparisons between groups showed that higher education students who are receiving psychological and/or psychiatric help showed more sexual risk behaviours and psychopathological symptoms than the nonclinical sample. However it was found that a considerable percentage of students belonging the nonclinical sample was emotionally disturbed. Implications of these results on future practices for higher education counselling centres are discussed.