Effect of Journaling to the Mental Health of University Students

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Effect of Journaling to the Mental Health of University Students

 

 

 

 

 

 

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March 06, 2023

      I.          Introduction

Students who have just entered college are much more commonly exposed to situations or circumstances that might result to mental health problems (Blanco et al., 2008). As time passes, colleges have accepted a more diverse set of students. The increase in diversity and the increase of students, in general, have increased the mental health problems to the point where college counseling centers can’t deal with them. A recent university analysis stated that the severity of mental health problems and their effects are very severe (Pledge et al., 1998). The coming of COVID–19 further increases these existing mental health problems. COVID–19 has had a multitude of effects on students mentally, physically, and financially. Experiencing these stressful events overwhelmed students and have resulted to poor academic performance and poor mental wellness (Kujama et al., 2020).

Journaling as a counseling intervention can be a beneficial tool, helping clients to gain a better understanding of themselves and develop further, both while in session and in between sessions. (Schneider & Stone, 1998). Research is continually being conducted on the advantages of expressive writing in the context of mental health, especially when it encourages deeper emotional articulation. (Pachankis & Goldfried, 2010). DeGangi (2010) suggested that expressive writing can be advantageous for young people, since it provides them with a tangible medium to express their thoughts and feelings, as well as aiding in their self-discovery. Though journaling is a popular way to deal with mental health issues, there is not much research that has been done to determine its effectiveness in a systematical way. In Sohal et al.'s (2022) study, a journaling intervention was associated with a 5% decrease in severity on mental health measures compared to control participants, with a more pronounced 9% decrease in anxiety and 6% in PTSD symptom subgroups, and a smaller 2% benefit in depression subgroups. These are studies done in different contexts and settings; thus, the effects of journaling on university students must be documented.

    II.          Research question

This study aims to determine the effects of journaling to university students that are experiencing mental health problems. It seeks to answer the following questions:

1.     What are the mental health conditions of university students?

2.     What are the effects of journaling on the mental health of university students?

3.     How will the university students perceive journaling as a treatment for their mental health?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  III.          Research methods

This chapter covers the details that will be used in the presentation and explanation of the context of the study. This chapter is the study's research methodology, which includes the gathering of materials and the experimentation that will be done. In addition, the researchers outlined the data gathering procedure, experimental set-up, research respondents, instrumentation, and evaluation procedure.

Respondents

The researcher will find participants through word of mouth or social media advertisements. Participation will be voluntary and will be conducted with anonymity and confidentiality. The participants will fall under the criteria: a university student experiencing mental health problems and struggling with treatment. The researcher will distribute informed consent forms to the participants to confirm their participation in the study.

Experimental Set-up

The interview will be conducted depending on the circumstance. Participants that allow a face-to-face meeting will be interviewed face-to-face, and those that do not allow face to face, they will be interviewed through google meet.

Data Gathering

The participants will undergo a pre and post-test, an interview. An interview template will be created with criteria to show whether the mental health condition is good or bad. The details of the study will be explained to the participants. The researcher will interview the participants according to the interview template and note the answers. The participants will actively journal for over a month, and the journaling instructions will be the same for all participants. After a month, the researcher will interview the participants according to the interview template and note the answers.

Evaluation of Data

The collected answers will be analyzed, and each participant's pre- and post-test answers will be compared. The result will be analyzed, and the researcher will conclude whether journaling has positively impacted the mental health of the participants.

  IV.          Conclusion

Mental health treatments for university students are essential because they can help address the significant mental health challenges many students face in college or university. Research shows that students often have difficulty managing stress and other emotional issues that may impact their ability to succeed academically and socially in their studies and on campus. Without proper mental health treatment, these challenges can worsen and lead to long-term consequences for a student's well-being and future success. This can negatively affect a student's academic performance, relationships, and well-being. It is also important to note that nearly half of the students are exposed to mental health services at some point during college.

Journaling is an effective and inexpensive treatment for depression. Research has shown that it can be a helpful way to talk through feelings and express grief. It can also help students learn to cope with difficult situations and better understand themselves and others. Many people use journaling as a form of therapy to deal with emotional problems. In addition to its therapeutic benefits, journaling has been linked to improved immune system function and reduced blood pressure, making it a valuable tool for improving overall physical health. Studies have shown that people who regularly journal are less likely to develop depression and other mental health conditions than those who do not engage in this practice. The benefits of writing down their thoughts and feelings are evident in many areas of our lives; they positively impact our mental health and well-being and can help us manage stress and anxiety more effectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    V.          References

Boone, B. C. (2006). The impact of poetry on symptoms of secondary posttraumatic stress disorder in domestic violence counselors (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Digital Dissertations database. (AAT 3296333).

Blanco, C. et al. (2008). Mental Health of College Students and Their Non–College-Attending Peers. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/482915

DeGangi, G. A., & Nemiroff, M. A. (2010). Kids’ club letters: Narrative tools for stimulating process and dialogue in therapy groups for children and adolescents. New York, NY: Routledge.

Gallagher, R., Gill, A., & Sysko, H. (2000). National survey of counseling center directors. Alexandria, VA: International Association of Counseling Services.

Gallagher, R., Sysko, H., & Zhang, B. (2001). National survey of counseling center directors. Alexandria, VA: International Association of Counseling Services.

Gladding, S. P. (1992). Counseling as an art: The creative arts in counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Association of Counseling and Development

Kujama, A., Green, H., Compas, B. E., Dickey, L., & Pegg, S. (2020). Exposure to COVID-19 pandemic stress: Associations with depression and anxiety in emerging adults in the United States. Depression and Anxiety, 37(12), 1280–1288. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.23109

Pachankis, J. E., & Goldfried, M. R. (2010). Expressive writing for gay-related stress: Psychosocial benefits and mechanisms underlying improvement. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(1), 98–110. doi:10.1037/a0017580

Pledge, D., Lapan, R., Heppner, P., & Roehlke, H. (1998) Stability and severity of presenting problems at a university counseling center: A 6-year analysis. Professional Psychology Research and Practice, 29(4), 386–389.

Sohal, M. et al. (2022). Efficacy of journaling in the management of mental illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8935176/