36th Annual Student Research Conference
Longitudinal Wellness Trends among Undergraduate Populations
Abby E. Sauer* and Fiona Chao
Dr. Nancy Daley-Moore and Dr. Julene Ensign, Faculty Mentors
Wellness has been an increasingly pertinent topic on college campuses. This study examined wellness trends among college freshmen by asking the following question: What practices, factors, and resources do students perceive to inhibit or enhance levels of wellness? In-depth interviews were conducted (n = 4, convenience sample) from a pool of 238 survey participants, comprised of incoming freshmen attending a small midwestern university. Using deductive coding methods, preliminary findings indicated that (a) overall wellness can improve or decline based on the quality of one’s support system, (b) effective coping skills to manage one’s own stress can mitigate stress levels, and finally, (c) the ability to initiate and maintain healthy habits, such as physical activity, experiencing nature, or journaling, can positively impact wellness. Ultimately, campus resources need to focus on cultivating an environment that encourages positive support systems and accessible avenues for maintaining healthy habits, especially among matriculating students.
Keywords: wellness, support system, healthy habits, students, college
Topic(s):Health Science
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 3-3
Location: Student Union Building Activities Room
Time: 3:00