Supporting wellness in doctoral occupational therapy students : the effects of a complementary health program on students' perceived anxiety and stress, 2024

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Ack

Identifier: b7931937

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

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The collection consists of dissertations written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate Occupational Therapy program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree.

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and School of Education, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2024

Creator

Ackerman, Kendall (1999- ) (Author, Person)
Garcia, Andrea (Thesis advisor, Person)
Hackenberg, Gabrielle (1986- ) (Thesis advisor, Person)
Patro, John (1985- ) (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (732-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Patrons must sign a completed Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to obtain access to the collection. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Full Extent

1 Items (print book) : 33 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Among graduate students there is a high level of stress and anxiety reported. Most of the literature focuses on techniques to combat stress and anxiety among students from nursing or medical professions, which does not accurately represent the healthcare field. The purpose of this research was to explore the effects of complementary health approaches on the experience of stress and anxiety among doctoral level occupational therapy (OTD) students. The following research question was explored: what is the experience of perceived stress and anxiety for first year occupational therapy doctoral students who use complementary health approaches? A phenomenological approach was taken to explore participants’ experiences in-depth. A total of eleven first-year OTD students met the inclusion criteria and participated in one wellness event. Data was collected through focus group interviewing. Data analysis revealed four themes: increased practices for well-being, effected self-improvement, personal coping strategies, and professional practice. Students reported feeling relaxed, decreased experiences of stress and anxiety, improved mood, improved behaviors, recognition of personal tools, and identified use for future practice. Results may provide future insight for educators to take wellness initiatives in general graduate programs and occupational therapy programs. Overall, a positive connection was found between the use of complementary health approaches and students’ perception of their stress and anxiety.