Holistic Approach for Common Adjustment Problems (H.A.C.A.P.) of College Students: An Intervention Program

Abstract

Adolescence is a very delicate and vulnerable stage in life. It is characterized by various adjustment particularly anxiety and depression. The study focused on adolescent’s ages 17-19 years of age. The objective of this study is to develop Holistic Approach for Common Adjustment Problems (H.A.C.A.P.) Intervention Program of College Students. The researcher used mixed method approach where qualitative is used to validate quantitative results. Three psychological tests were used namely, College Adjustment Scale, Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventory. Phase I is development of Holistic Approach for Common Adjustment Problems Intervention Program (H.A.C.A.P.). Using College Adjustment Scale, the researcher analyzed the result of needs assessment survey for the S.Y 2015-2016 where 25 college students found to have significant difficulties in, family problems, depression and suicidal ideation. The respondents are already dropped so a needs assessment follow up survey was conducted for the S.Y. 2016-2017 and it revealed that anxiety and depression are the most common problems which are above average. Out of 78 college students from CAS referred by the Dean 48 complied and 24 found to have high level of anxiety and depression. This was reduced to 16 were participants in focus group discussion. Thus expert’s validation also revealed that H.A.C.A.P. intervention program is applicable to anxiety and depression. Likewise in the pilot run of the Holistic Approach for Common Adjustment Problems (H.A.C.A.P) shows that there was a significant difference in the pre-test and post- test on anxiety and depression inventory this shows that anxiety and depression decreases. The final composition of H.A.C.A.P. was developed and anchored on Becks’ anxiety and depression theory, Albert Ellis theory, Banduras theory and Jungian’s expressive art theory. Phase 2, testing the efficacy of H.A.C.A.P. Intervention Program. A total of 14 participants were divided into two, 7 for the control group and 7 for the experimental group. The pre-test and post-test shows that anxiety and depression decreases while the control group remains high. It is concluded that H.A.C.A.P is effective to college students with common adjustment problems.