Evaluation of a Multidisciplinary Resilience Program for Post-Secondary Students: A Pilot Study

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
20 October 2023

Abstract

Patient-oriented health research approaches are growing in popularity; however, there is a lack of literature describing how patient-oriented research is being utilized to enhance mental health programming for students. The current study reports on a participant-oriented approach to development and evaluation of an innovative, holistic, multi-disciplinary program designed to empower post-secondary students to actively maintain their health and well-being and support academic success. Results demonstrated significant increase in self-reported resilience and anxiety symptoms, but no change in depression symptoms. Prevention programs co-designed with intended users show promise as an effective approach to supporting students with sub-clinical mental health challenges.

Résumé

Les approches en matière de recherches axées sur la santé du patient sont de plus en plus répandues ; cependant, la littérature décrivant comment la recherche axée sur le patient est utilisée pour améliorer les programmes en santé mentale pour les étudiants fait défaut. La présente étude porte sur une approche axée sur le patient visant le développement et l’évaluation d’un programme innovant et holistique conçu pour encourager les étudiants du postsecondaire à maintenir activement tant leur santé que leur bien-être et à les supporter dans leur réussite académique. Les résultats ont démontré un accroissement significatif de résilience et de symptômes d’anxiété autorapportés, mais aucun changement concernant les symptômes de dépression. Pour autant, les programmes de prévention élaborés avec les personnes concernées semblent être prometteurs comme approche efficiente pour supporter les étudiants aux prises avec des problèmes de santé mentale sous-cliniques.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 42Number 3November 2023
Pages: 13 - 27

History

Version of record online: 20 October 2023

Key Words

  1. participant-oriented research
  2. mental health
  3. resilience
  4. university students

Mots-clés

  1. recherche participative
  2. santé mentale
  3. résilience
  4. étudiants universitaires

Authors

Affiliations

Jennifer E. Thannhauser [email protected]
Hayley Brillon
David Nordstokke
Andrew C. H. Szeto
Keith S. Dobson

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