Reducing Stress in Youth: A Pilot-Study on the Effects of a University-Based Intervention Program for University Students in Pune, India

- Adithy Adithy,Emma Emily De Wit,Barbara J Regeer,Joske G F Bunders-Aelen

doi:10.5539/jedp.v6n2p53

Abstract

<p>Mental health problems among youth have become important public health concern for many low &amp; middle- income countries. As part of a research program to improve mental wellbeing in Pune, India, a university-based intervention was developed for students of two educational institutes. In one month, 33 students (age 18-22) participated in a series of 2-hour sessions in which they were stimulated to learn better coping skills to deal with stress and anxiety. The interactive sessions were facilitated by a psychologist and volunteers of a suicide prevention NGO. Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) approaches were used to help students identify stressors and find alternative thought patterns towards the stressor. Playful exercises, such as theatre, dance and poetry, were used to develop self-esteem, self-expression and a better sense of control in students. Throughout the program, relaxation methods, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), were practiced to help reduce stress in students. To study the impact of the intervention, data were collected, before- and after the intervention and in an eight month follow-up with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), in combination with open questionnaires and field notes. Preliminary results show a significant decrease in average stress scores in students after the program in comparison to before the intervention (p-value is 0.044 &lt; 0.05). Students reflect upon the program as helpful and specifically emphasize the role of poetry, dance &amp; EFT as main contributors. In follow-up tests perceived stress scores remained lower than at base-line, although not significant. Booster sessions are suggested to sustain the benefits. Overall, the results of this pilot study show that low threshold, university-based interventions, could be useful in stimulating psychosocial well-being in youth.</p><p> </p>

Highlights

Mental health disorders among youth have become an important public health concern for many rapidly developing countries, including India, China and Eastern European countries (Sidhartha & Jena, 2006; Patel et al, 2007; Kim & Singh, 2004)
Student acceptance and program practicability: Both from the field notes as well as the post-interviews it appeared that students were eager and enthusiastic to participate in the program
This first had to do with the urgency of the problem and how this was experienced by most students

Summary

Introduction

Mental health disorders among youth have become an important public health concern for many rapidly developing countries, including India, China and Eastern European countries (Sidhartha & Jena, 2006; Patel et al, 2007; Kim & Singh, 2004). Students seem to experience high levels of distress, partly by being caught in a system of competitiveness, in which they face various financial, psychosocial and cultural pressures (Bathla et al, 2015). In India, only 21% of suicides seem to be motivated by illnesses (including mental disorders) (NCRB, 2007), while many of the remaining issues reveal deep structural concerns in Indian society and the social pressures people face (Radhakrishnan & Andrade, 2012).

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion