State of Mind Ireland-Higher Education: A Mixed-Methods Longitudinal Evaluation of a Positive Mental Health Intervention

Niamh O’Brien, Martin Lawlor, Fiona Chambers and Wesley O’Brien
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Niamh O’Brien: Sports Studies and Physical Education, School of Education, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland
Martin Lawlor: Sports Studies and Physical Education, School of Education, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland
Fiona Chambers: Sports Studies and Physical Education, School of Education, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland
Wesley O’Brien: Sports Studies and Physical Education, School of Education, University College Cork, T12 YN60 Cork, Ireland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-23

Abstract: Objective: This study evaluates the impact of the State of Mind Ireland-Higher Education (SOMI-HE) Mental Fitness intervention on student wellbeing, resilience, and physical activity (PA) participation. Design: A mixed-methods research design, comprising of a self-report questionnaire, and semi-structured focus group interviews at pre, post and follow-up phases were employed. Participants were a sample of 134 higher education students (29% male: 71% female; mean age range 18 to 25 years old). The quantitative outcome measures of wellbeing, resilience and PA data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) with appropriate statistical analysis. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to capture the long-term outcomes and impact of the intervention. Results: The results indicate a significant intervention effect on participants’ wellbeing (t (120) = ?4.27, p < 0.001), PA levels (t (126) = 3.91, p < 0.001) and motivational readiness for exercise change (?2 (1, n = 131) = 6.9, p < 0.009 (2–sided). Qualitative findings suggest a sustained long-term increase in PA and resilience skills for positive mental health, and reduced stigma and barriers to positive mental health. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the SOMI-HE evidence-based intervention, and beneficial outcomes of a salutary approach to higher education student mental health.

Keywords: mental health; intervention studies; physical activity; psychological resilience; young adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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