ERIC Number: EJ1146177
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Comparison of Two Approaches to Prevention of Mental Health Problems in College Students: Enhancing Coping and Executive Function Skills
Bettis, Alexandra H.; Coiro, Mary Jo; England, Jessica; Murphy, Lexa K.; Zelkowitz, Rachel L.; Dejardins, Leandra; Eskridge, Rachel; Adery, Laura Hieber; Yarboi, Janet; Pardo, Daniel; Compas, Bruce E.
Journal of American College Health, v65 n5 p313-322 2017
Objective: College students face a significant number of stressors, increasing risk for internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. The current study examines two promising avenues of intervention aimed to reduce stress and prevent psychopathology in this population: a coping skills group and a cognitive training program. Participants: 62 undergraduate students from two universities were recruited from 2013 to 2015. Methods: Students were randomized to a 6-week coping skills group or cognitive training program and completed measures of stress, coping, executive function, and symptoms of anxiety, depression and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at pre- and post-intervention. Results: Participants in both conditions reported significant decreases in social stress, executive function difficulties, and anxiety symptoms post-intervention. Students in the cognitive program improved significantly more on measures of behavior regulation and ADHD symptoms compared to the coping group at post-intervention. Conclusions: Brief stress management interventions targeting coping and executive function may benefit college students at risk for psychopathology.
Descriptors: Mental Health, Mental Disorders, Executive Function, Health Promotion, Comparative Analysis, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Intervention, Psychopathology, Undergraduate Students, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Prevention, Short Term Memory, Cognitive Processes, Program Effectiveness, Statistical Analysis, Pretests Posttests
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A