Reducing Stress in Youth: A Pilot-Study on the Effects of a University-Based Intervention Program for University Students in Pune, India
| Autor: | Emma Emily De Wit, Adithy, Joske G. F. Bunders-Aelen, Barbara J. Regeer |
|---|---|
| Přispěvatelé: | Science and Society, Athena Institute, EMGO+ - Quality of Care |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_treatment
Stressor Psychological intervention Behaviour therapy Perceived Stress Scale Mental health Suicide prevention 030227 psychiatry 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Intervention (counseling) medicine 030212 general & internal medicine Psychology Psychosocial Clinical psychology |
| Zdroj: | Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 6(2). Canadian Center of Science and Education de Wit, E E, Bunders-Aelen, J G F & Regeer, B J 2016, ' Reducing Stress in Youth: A Pilot-Study on the Effects of a University-Based Intervention Program for University Students in Pune, India ', Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, vol. 6, no. 2 . https://doi.org/10.5539/jedp.v6n2p53 |
| ISSN: | 1927-0526 |
| DOI: | 10.5539/jedp.v6n2p53 |
| Popis: | Mental health problems among youth have become important public health concern for many low & middle- income countries. As part of a research program to improve mental wellbeing in Pune, India, a university-based intervention was developed for students of two educational institutes. In one month, 33 students (age 18-22) participated in a series of 2-hour sessions in which they were stimulated to learn better coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety. The interactive sessions were facilitated by a psychologist and volunteers of a suicide prevention NGO. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) approaches were used to help students identify stressors and find alternative thought patterns towards the stressor. Playful exercises, such as theatre, dance and poetry, were used to develop self-esteem, self-expression and a better sense of control in students. Throughout the program, relaxation methods, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), were practiced to help reduce stress in students. To study the impact of the intervention, data were collected, before- and after the intervention and in an eight month follow-up with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), in combination with open questionnaires and field notes. Preliminary results show a significant decrease in average stress scores in students after the program in comparison to before the intervention (p-value is 0.044 < 0.05). Students reflect upon the program as helpful and specifically emphasize the role of poetry, dance & EFT as main contributors. In follow-up tests perceived stress scores remained lower than at base-line, although not significant. Booster sessions are suggested to sustain the benefits. Overall, the results of this pilot study show that low threshold, university-based interventions, could be useful in stimulating psychosocial well-being in youth. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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