Support marshaling strategies among college students with anxiety and depression

Objective: The purpose of this study is to identify ways in which college students use support-seeking strategies to improve mental health-related goals. Participants: Participants included college students from a Mid-Atlantic university who identified as having experienced anxiety or depression in their lifetime. Method: Using a support marshaling framework and thematic analysis, this paper analyzed qualitative responses (n = 330) that detailed individuals' experiences with network members when trying to gain support or avoid barriers surrounding their mental health. Results: This analysis revealed new support marshaling strategies specific to a mental health context. Participants frequently employed indirect avoidance strategies (e.g., decreased interaction time; 12.66%) and direct approach strategies (e.g., soliciting mental health support; 43.33%). Conclusions: College students equally experience opposition and support when trying to achieve mental health-related goals. Future research might consider which network members express support and opposition, and how these newly identified strategies apply in support marshaling contexts outside mental health.