Invisible disabilities and health among U.S. postsecondary students

<b>Objective</b>: The current study compares the health behaviors and outcomes of students with three types of invisible disabilities-autism, ADHD or learning disabilities, and mental health conditions-to neurotypical students. Gender differences are also examined. <b>Participants</b>: Undergraduate college students (<i>n</i> = 2,822) at ten postsecondary institutions in Indiana. <b>Methods</b>: Students completed an online survey in spring 2021. Differences in health behaviors and outcomes based on disability status were estimated using linear and logistic regression models. <b>Results</b>: College students with invisible disabilities reported worse health than neurotypical students across a range of health behaviors and outcomes, for both physical and mental health. Students with mental health conditions reported worse health most consistently. There were few gender differences. <b>Conclusions</b>: Health-related programming targeted to students with invisible disabilities has received little attention in research on college student health. As this population grows, we recommend that institutions develop programs to address their specific health-related challenges and needs.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of American College Health
Published
2025-03-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2025.2476654
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Disability Education and Employment
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.37

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article

Invisible disabilities and health among U.S. postsecondary students

Jane D. McLeod, Syndee Knight, Andrew Halpern-Manners, Andrew B. Myers et al.
1 citations
Journal of American College Health
Disability Education and Employment
2.37
article

Invisible disabilities and health among U.S. postsecondary students

Jane D. McLeod, Syndee Knight, Andrew Halpern-Manners, Andrew B. Myers, Yunmyung Cho
article en
1 citations

Abstract

<b>Objective</b>: The current study compares the health behaviors and outcomes of students with three types of invisible disabilities-autism, ADHD or learning disabilities, and mental health conditions-to neurotypical students. Gender differences are also examined. <b>Participants</b>: Undergraduate college students (<i>n</i> = 2,822) at ten postsecondary institutions in Indiana. <b>Methods</b>: Students completed an online survey in spring 2021. Differences in health behaviors and outcomes based on disability status were estimated using linear and logistic regression models. <b>Results</b>: College students with invisible disabilities reported worse health than neurotypical students across a range of health behaviors and outcomes, for both physical and mental health. Students with mental health conditions reported worse health most consistently. There were few gender differences. <b>Conclusions</b>: Health-related programming targeted to students with invisible disabilities has received little attention in research on college student health. As this population grows, we recommend that institutions develop programs to address their specific health-related challenges and needs.

Journal of American College Health
Indiana University Bloomington (US), Indiana University (US)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Disability Education and Employment
2.37
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