2017 Student Research Conference:
30th Annual Student Research Conference

The Relationship of Sorority Membership and Self-Reported Mental Health Status at Truman State University


Leah N. Wright * and Sydney E. Gosik
Dr. Roberta Donahue and Ms. Amanda Starks , Faculty Mentors

This study describes the mental health status of women at Truman State University using Missouri Partners in Prevention survey data from 2013-2016. Trends were identified in mental health status among Panhellenic Greek affiliated women (sorority women) and non-Panhellenic Greek affiliated women (non-affiliated women). Their responses to a range of mental health-related questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency tests for three groups: all women on campus, sorority women, and non-affiliated women for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. During this period, sorority women reported a slightly greater sense of belonging to the campus community and feeling like a member of the campus community than non-affiliated women did. However, sorority women indicated feeling more stressed and negatively impacted by that stress than non-affiliated women. Future programs to address elevated stress levels among sorority women could incorporate their enhanced sense of community into  interventions specifically designed to improve their mental health status.

Keywords: Mental Health , Sorority Affiliation , Missouri Partners in Prevention , 2013-2016, Stress , Non-affiliated women

Topic(s):Health Science

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: 408-4
Location: VH 1212
Time: 3:15

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