Immigration Status, Mental Health, and Intent to Persist Among Immigrant College Students

This study examined the moderating role of immigration status on the relationship between anxiety and intent to persist among 469 immigrant college students. Additionally, we examined whether depression mediated the relationship between anxiety and intent to persist. Results showed that anxiety predicted increased intent to persist and increased anxiety predicted increased depression. However, depression did not significantly predict intent to persist, yet immigration status positively predicted intent to persist. Combined, anxiety, depression, and immigration status accounted for a significant variation in intent to persist. Additionally, results suggested that there was moderated mediation in the model. Therefore, clinical, institutional policy and research implications are discussed in efforts to develop and implement initiatives that reduce or limit these social determinants and reduce immigrant college students' levels of anxiety and depression. Further, given that anxiety is associated with a greater likelihood of persisting, especially for students with specific immigration status (i.e., precarious status), culturally relevant initiatives can further be examined to promote assets, strengths, and protective factors among first-generation immigrant college students.