At the Intersections of Support and Scarcity: Trauma-Informed Campus Climate and College Students’ Mental Health

Using cross-sectional survey data from 9,634 undergraduates at 1,430 U.S. colleges and universities, we examined whether trauma-informed campus climate moderated the association between basic needs insecurity and symptoms of depression and anxiety after accounting for demographic, academic, and institutional covariates. Basic needs insecurity was positively associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, whereas trauma-informed campus climate was negatively associated with both outcomes. Trauma-informed campus climate also attenuated the association between basic needs insecurity and psychological distress. The findings underscore the ethical importance of campus climates that promote safety, dignity, and support for students experiencing material hardship.