The Psychological Health of University Students as Measured by a Personality Inventory

A sample of 397 Monash University students received the Eysenck Personality Inventory at enrolment in 1969, and again in 1971. Rises in neuroticism scores occurred in most student groups but were most marked among students who reported poor psychological health, who had poor academic records and who were trainee teachers. Students who reported poor psychological health in 1970 obtained significantly higher neuroticism scores in 1969 than other students. It is concluded that rises in neuroticism scores in the above three groups reflect developing psychological illness, and in the case of poor academic performers university attendance itself is a significant stress.