A Multimodal Intervention for Improving the Mental Health and Emotional Well-being of College Students

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a 10-week multimodal intervention for improving the mental health and emotional well-being of college students when included as a mandatory component of the students’ course of study. A total of 67 students (20.9 ± 5.4 years, 30 male/37 female) participated in the intervention that introduced a variety of evidence-based strategies for improving mental health and emotional well-being from the Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology literature. Significant reductions were recorded in symptoms of depression (−28%, P < .05), anxiety (−31%, P < .05), and stress (−28%, P < .01), whereas significant improvements were observed in mental health (18%, P < .01), vitality (14%, P < .01) and overall life satisfaction (8%, P < .05). Effect sizes were larger than those reported by studies that have examined the individual effectiveness of the strategies incorporated into the intervention, suggesting a compounding effect. Stratified analyses indicated that participants with the lowest measures of mental health and emotional well-being at baseline experienced the greatest benefits. The findings of the study suggest that meaningful improvements in the mental health and emotional well-being of college students can be achieved, and potentially magnified, by utilizing a multidisciplinary approach involving evidence-based strategies from Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology.

The effectiveness of an online multimodal intervention for mental health promotion: A randomised controlled trial

“…The intervention, referred to as "The Live More Project" or "The Lift Project", [47,48] is a ten-week program that integrates strategies from the Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology literature.…”

“…Underpinning the intervention is the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) that aimed to facilitate behavioural change through three key areas: a shift in attitude towards emotional wellness through education; a change in perceived norms by promoting social engagement; and an increase of perceived control by encouraging the participants to achieve weekly challenges. [49] The intervention used an experiential pedagogical framework of Learn, Experience, Think, and Share (LETS) [47] facilitated through an e-learning management system. In each weekly session, the participants viewed a themed educational video that presented evidence-based strategies for promoting mental health and emotional wellness.…”

“…As discussed previously, this warrants further investigation given that a previous cohort study has indicated that individuals with lower levels of mental health reported the greatest benefits from the intervention. [47] Public health implications…”

Combining Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology to Improve Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

“…Recent studies of the effectiveness of a multimodal lifestyle intervention (the Lift Project) that combines the above strategies with other additional lifestyle-based approaches have indicated that, on average, participants experience a 20% improvement in overall mental health in association with a 30% reduction in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress. 62,63 Furthermore, the greatest benefits of the intervention were observed among the participants with the poorest mental health scores at baseline, indicating that the strategies are beneficial even for clinical cohorts. 62 Whereas structured interventions like the Lift Project might be the most efficacious method for engaging individuals with the strategies described above, these approaches can also be easily utilized as prescriptions by health professionals and clinicians who treat patients with affective disorders.…”

“…62,63 Furthermore, the greatest benefits of the intervention were observed among the participants with the poorest mental health scores at baseline, indicating that the strategies are beneficial even for clinical cohorts. 62 Whereas structured interventions like the Lift Project might be the most efficacious method for engaging individuals with the strategies described above, these approaches can also be easily utilized as prescriptions by health professionals and clinicians who treat patients with affective disorders.…”