Mytern: An Innovative Approach to Increase Students’ Achievement, Sense of Wellbeing and Levels of Resilience

Jane Foster; Bill Allen; Florin I Oprescu; Margaret McAllister

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Mytern: An Innovative Approach to Increase Students’ Achievement, Sense of Wellbeing and Levels of Resilience

Conference paper

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Peer reviewed

Mytern: An Innovative Approach to Increase Students’ Achievement, Sense of Wellbeing and Levels of Resilience

Jane Foster, Bill Allen, Florin I Oprescu and Margaret McAllister

Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, Vol.43, pp.31-40

Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association (ANZSSA) Biennial Conference: Innovation in Changing Times, 2013 (Wellington, New Zealand, 03-Dec-2013–06-Dec-2013)

Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association Inc.

2014

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Abstract

Education Systems

Specialist Studies in Education

Psychology

university students

wellbeing

resilience

Mytern

retention

Many university students, particularly first year, do experience feelings of stress and social isolation, which negatively impact on their physical, mental and academic wellbeing. When it all becomes too overwhelming, some students perceive that their only solution is to drop out of university, or worse. This paper reports on a study at a regional Australian university using mixed methods to investigate the impact of an emotional fitness intervention (Mytern) on the emotional health and resilience of students in a compulsory first year course. The study adopted a salutogenic perspective to address the everyday stressors experienced by first year students; it explores factors that create health rather than concentrating on the limitations and disease that emerge as a result of these stressors. Results indicated that this supportive intervention developed a feeling of connection and a sense of control within a large number of students; enabling them to feel stronger mentally and physically; perform better academically; encouraging them to continue their study; despite continually being confronted with everyday stressors. Equipping students with a skill to reframe the daily stressors of university and life revealed increased wellbeing and retention rates, with implications to decrease the number of students presenting to an already overburdened student counselling service.

Details

Title: Mytern: An Innovative Approach to Increase Students’ Achievement, Sense of Wellbeing and Levels of Resilience
Authors: Jane Foster (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Bill Allen (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Florin I Oprescu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Margaret McAllister (Author) - Central Queensland University
Contributors: C Stone (Editor)
A Andrews (Editor)
Publication details: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, Vol.43, pp.31-40
Conference details: Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association (ANZSSA) Biennial Conference: Innovation in Changing Times, 2013 (Wellington, New Zealand, 03-Dec-2013–06-Dec-2013)
Publisher: Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association Inc.
Date published: 2014
ISSN: 1320-2480; 1320-2480
Organisation Unit: School of Education - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; Engage Research Lab; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449062902621
Output Type: Conference paper
Research Statement: false

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