Abstract

This exploratory study describes the 132 students who received mental health services at a southern California community college through the Student Health Center located on campus during the academic year 2011–2012. Students’ coping skills were measured at the beginning of treatment using the Coping Strategy Indicator (Amirkham, 1990) and their satisfaction levels were measured at termination using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (Larsen, Attkisson, Hargreaves, & Nguyen, 1979). SPSS Version 19 was used to analyze the data. With a possible range of 11–33 for each coping scale, students scored average on problem solving skills (mean=24.68) and seeking social support (mean= 23.40), but high on avoidance coping strategies (mean=23.35). Older students were slightly more likely than younger students to engage in problem solving (r=.18, p=.07) and slightly less likely to engage in avoidance (r=-.21, p=.09). Higher levels of client satisfaction were significantly related to higher levels of seeking social support (r=.31, p=.03). Overall, the students were very satisfied with treatment, as indicated by a mean score of 29.79 out of a possible 32 and a 15.9% dropout rate. Areas for future research are outlined.