Promoting Psychosocial Adjustment and Stress Management in First-Year College Students: The Benefits of Engagement in a Psychosocial Wellness Seminar

Abstract

Objective/Methods: This research evaluates the effectiveness of a psychosocial wellness seminar for first-year college students, from 2009 to 2011, using an 8-month prospective quasi-experimental design. Participants/Results: Compared with controls (n = 22) involved in an alternative seminar, intervention participants (n = 29) showed no differences at baseline, but reported significantly greater perceived improvements over the course of the intervention, in psychosocial adjustment and stress management. Furthermore, specific aspects of intervention engagement (attendance and student-rated skills practice, but not didactic mastery or facilitator-rated skills practice) differentially predicted beneficial outcomes: (1) psychosocial adjustment (increases in psychosocial well-being, decreases in psychological distress), after adjusting for baseline levels of these outcomes; (2) college-related stress management (lower college-related stress, greater adaptation to college); and (3) perceived improvements in psychosocial adjustment and stress management. Conclusions: This research indicates promising avenues for programmatic efforts to promote psychosocial adjustment and stress management in college students, during this critical developmental juncture.

Keywords:

• college students
• intervention
• mental health
• promotion
• wellness

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to Stephanie Atella, Patrick Boyle, Devin Carey, Daniel Dickson, Andreana Kenrick, Alyx Kesselring, Alexandra Kirsch, Michelle Lata, Tiffany Lawrence, Catherine Lee, Scott Leon, Ashley Rolnik, Tara Sullivan, Sarah Wilson Merriman, Christopher Zaddach, and the many research assistants who provided valuable assistance with this project. The authors also thank Joseph Durlak and Grayson Holmbeck for reviewing the manuscript. This research was supported by internal research grants from Loyola University Chicago (College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Student Development, Office of First-Year Experience, Office of the Provost).