A Close Examination of Self-Care Among College Students
Disciplines
Mental and Social Health | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion
Abstract (300 words maximum)
BACKGROUND: Self-care is not a ground breaking concept, but is very open to interpretation and popular in the chronic disease management literature. The current emphasis on self-care and disease management is well placed; however, it has led to gaps in self-care understanding as it relates to other populations, such as college students. College life is a state of transition that can be challenging for students. When academic and life pressures compete, college students engage in unhealthy behaviors to cope, which takes a toll on their mental and physical health. A self-care focus on college students is required to understand and identify their self-care perceptions, behaviors, protective factors, and risk factors, especially given the rich diversity of today’s student population.
METHODS: An extensive literature review will occur to identify what contributions there are in the self-care field as it relates to college students. Additionally, subject matter expert interviews and college student focus groups will be conducted to assess the current state of self-care within a Georgia-based college environment. These formative research activities will inform an evidence-based pilot workshop for students featuring self-care strengthening education and application.
RESULTS OR ANTICIPATED RESULTS: It is anticipated that literature review results will reveal significant research gaps as it relates to the college student population. Interviews and focus groups will yield rich qualitative data required to build a workshop that is relevant and useful to the intended population. Lastly, the workshop will 1) strengthen student self-care perceptions and behaviors and 2) provide practitioners with a self-care model to implement in this setting.
CONCLUSIONS: Self-care among the college student population requires a deeper discussion than what is currently available. Self-care is not ground-breaking, but for this population that is faced with mounting risk factors, it could make all the difference in health and academic outcomes.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Mari-Amanda Dyal
A Close Examination of Self-Care Among College Students
BACKGROUND: Self-care is not a ground breaking concept, but is very open to interpretation and popular in the chronic disease management literature. The current emphasis on self-care and disease management is well placed; however, it has led to gaps in self-care understanding as it relates to other populations, such as college students. College life is a state of transition that can be challenging for students. When academic and life pressures compete, college students engage in unhealthy behaviors to cope, which takes a toll on their mental and physical health. A self-care focus on college students is required to understand and identify their self-care perceptions, behaviors, protective factors, and risk factors, especially given the rich diversity of today’s student population.
METHODS: An extensive literature review will occur to identify what contributions there are in the self-care field as it relates to college students. Additionally, subject matter expert interviews and college student focus groups will be conducted to assess the current state of self-care within a Georgia-based college environment. These formative research activities will inform an evidence-based pilot workshop for students featuring self-care strengthening education and application.
RESULTS OR ANTICIPATED RESULTS: It is anticipated that literature review results will reveal significant research gaps as it relates to the college student population. Interviews and focus groups will yield rich qualitative data required to build a workshop that is relevant and useful to the intended population. Lastly, the workshop will 1) strengthen student self-care perceptions and behaviors and 2) provide practitioners with a self-care model to implement in this setting.
CONCLUSIONS: Self-care among the college student population requires a deeper discussion than what is currently available. Self-care is not ground-breaking, but for this population that is faced with mounting risk factors, it could make all the difference in health and academic outcomes.