Evaluation of a Self-Care Intervention to Improve Student Mental Health Administered through a Distance-Learning Course

Abstract

Background: Graduate training is a high-risk period for worsening mental health. Previous research reported the effectiveness of a classroom-based self-care intervention for graduate students. Purpose: The study evaluated the effectiveness of an online self-care intervention for graduate-level students to prevent worsening mental health. Methods: Participants were 187 students in public health. The intervention consisted of behavior change assignments designed to increase health-promoting behaviors within four domains (nutrition, physical activity, mental health, social support). Students received bonus points for maintaining health behaviors for the duration of the 12-week semester. Outcomes included measures of nutrition, physical activity, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress. The study employed a control group of students not enrolled in the course (n = 29). Results: Health promotion behaviors increased over the course of the semester (ps