Relationships Between Basic Needs Insecurities and Symptoms of Mental Illness in Neurodivergent College Students

Students who are neurodivergent may be at risk of experiencing one or more basic needs insecurities (BNIs). Experiencing BNI, generally, can also increase symptoms of mental illness. The current study examined BNI experiences between students who were neurodivergent and neurotypical and tested whether experiencing BNIs was associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Data were collected from n = 507 college students via a cross-sectional, web-based survey. Neurodivergent status, experiencing six BNIs (i.e., food, finance, healthcare, housing, transportation, hygiene), and symptoms of depression and anxiety were measured. Logistic and linear regression models tested main effects after adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Overall, 90.4% of neurodivergent students experienced one or more BNIs, with food (68.3%) and financial (76%) insecurity most common. Odds of experiencing hygiene insecurity were two times greater (OR [95%] = 2.07 [1.09, 3.91]) among neurodivergent students. Experiencing food, financial, or healthcare insecurity was associated with increased depression (p’s ≤ 0.006) and anxiety (p’s ≤ 0.027) symptoms among neurodivergent students. BNIs are common in neurodivergent students, and neurodivergent students who experience BNIs are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. Universities should consider implementing proactive policies, such as care coordination through health services, food options to accommodate non-traditional schedules, and affordable hygienic products and services.