HEARTSMAP-U: Adapting a Psychosocial Self-Screening and Resource Navigation Support Tool for Use by Post-secondary Students.

Punit Virk,Marna Nelson,Skye Barbic,Anne Gadermann,Heather Burt,Peter Cornish,Quynh Doan,Jana Davidson,Ravia Arora

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.812965

Abstract

BackgroundMental health challenges are highly prevalent in the post-secondary educational setting. Screening instruments have been shown to improve early detection and intervention. However, these tools often focus on specific diagnosable conditions, are not always designed with students in mind, and lack resource navigational support.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe the adaptation of existing psychosocial assessment (HEARTSMAP) tools into a version that is fit-for-purpose for post-secondary students, called HEARTSMAP-U.MethodsWe underwent a three-phase, multi-method tool adaptation process. First, a diverse study team proposed a preliminary version of HEARTSMAP-U and its conceptual framework. Second, we conducted a cross-sectional expert review study with Canadian mental health professionals (N = 28), to evaluate the clinical validity of tool content. Third, we conducted an iterative series of six focus groups with diverse post-secondary students (N = 54), to refine tool content and language, and ensure comprehensibility and relevance to end-users.ResultsThe adaptation process resulted in the HEARTSMAP-U self-assessment and resource navigational support tool, which evaluates psychosocial challenges across 10 sections. In Phase two, clinician experts expressed that HEARTSMAP-U's content aligned with their own professional experiences working with students. In Phase three, students identified multiple opportunities to improve the tool's end-user relevance by calling for more “common language,” such as including examples, definitions, and avoiding technical jargon.ConclusionsThe HEARTSMAP-U tool is well-positioned for further studies of its quantitative psychometric properties and clinical utility in the post-secondary educational setting.

Highlights

In recent years, post-secondary students have reported increasing levels of mental health challenges including psychological distress and diagnosed conditions [1]
The adaptation process resulted in the HEARTSMAP-U self-assessment and resource navigational support tool, which evaluates psychosocial challenges across 10 sections
In Phase two, clinician experts expressed that HEARTSMAP-U’s content aligned with their own professional experiences working with students

Summary

Introduction

Post-secondary students have reported increasing levels of mental health challenges including psychological distress and diagnosed conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression) [1]. While the post-secondary years are often a period of self-exploration and interpersonal growth [2], they have been associated with high stress, peer pressure, and greater responsibilities with reduced social supports [3, 4]. For young adults, this period coincides with significant physiological, psychological, and social development [5, 6]. These tools often focus on specific diagnosable conditions, are not always designed with students in mind, and lack resource navigational support

Methods

Results

Conclusion