Improving physical and mental health of college students through Consciousness-Based Education.
Marie Loiselle, Frederick Travis
Journal of American college health : J of ACH December 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1984245 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCollege students who studied at a Consciousness-Based Education institution showed significant improvements in physical, mental, and general health, self-esteem, and perceived health from freshman year to graduation, alongside significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and combined anxiety-depression. No significant changes were found for pain, disability, or social health. The authors argue that Consciousness-Based Education may buffer the effects of stress on mental and physical health, offering educators a tool to help students cope with college life.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 321 |
| Population | Undergraduate college students at a Consciousness-Based Education institution |
| Duration | From freshman year to graduation (2008-2014) |
| Keywords | Anxiety and depression Consciousness-based education Duke health profile Transcendental meditation College students |
| Key finding | Consciousness-Based Education was associated with significant increases in physical, mental, and general health and self-esteem, and significant decreases in anxiety and depression among college students from freshman year to graduation. |
Abstract
Objective: This study examined whether studying in a Consciousness-Based Education institution influenced college students' mental and physical health. Participants and methods: Undergraduate college students (n = 321) completed the Duke Health Profile, assessing 11 areas of mental and physical health, both as entering freshmen (2008-2014) and at graduation. The archived data was analyzed from 2019 to 2020. Results: Using ANOVA for all 11 subscales revealed significant increases in physical, mental, and general health, self-esteem (P < .001), perceived health (P < .017); and significant decreases in anxiety, depression, and anxiety-depression (P < .001). There were no significant group effects on pain, disability, or social health. Conclusions: Consciousness-Based Education was found to buffer the effects of stress on mental and physical health in college students. Consciousness-Based Education's influence in lowering anxiety and depression while improving self-esteem and general health presents an effective tool for educators and administrators to consider in assisting students combating the stress of college life.