Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
8-1-2019
Abstract
College students are struggling. Anxiety and depression are negatively impacting academic performance and eroding students’ social, physical and emotional well-being. In addition, counseling centers are struggling to keep up with demand. This paper considers a way to alleviate anxiety and depression on college campuses by teaching students how to reduce counterproductive thinking, develop mindfulness and realistic optimism, and enhance their coping and resilience skills. A recommendation to create an evidence-based curriculum informed by cognitive behavior therapy, positive psychology, and research on resilience is discussed. Embedding this curriculum in existing resident assistant (RA) training is suggested as a first step in a process to teach these skills to the general student body. As influential peer leaders and role models, RAs have the potential to spread their skills and knowledge to other students. A method to assess the training is provided and next steps are suggested. By teaching students to think more accurately, students might manage adversity with less stress, anxiety and depression, and thus we might begin to stem the tide of overwhelming anxiety and depression on college campuses.
Keywords
college students, cognitive behavior therapy, positive psychology, resilience, optimism, pessimism, realistic optimism, thinking traps, cognitive distortions, imposter phenomenon, perfectionism, anxiety, depression.
Topic
College Student Well-Being, Student Anxiety and Depression, College Student Thriving and Resilience, Residence Life, Well-Being/Flourishing, Health/Wellness, Other Topics
Format
Curriculum, Literature Review, Thesis, Workshop
Included in
Academic Advising Commons, Other Education Commons, Other Psychology Commons, University Extension Commons
Date Posted: 01 August 2019