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Mental fitness in higher education: Intervention Mapping programme design
Type
Article
Journal Title
Health Education
Book title
Publication Date
2020
Volume
122
Issue
3
Start page
21
End page
39
Publication Number of pages
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Abstract
Purpose
Higher Education Institutions observe that many students are experiencing mental health issues, such as high levels of anxiety and stress. Young adults are recognised as a vulnerable group who carry the burden of mental health problems worldwide. Mental health interventions can be effective in positively influencing students' emotional and behavioural wellbeing.
Design/methodology/approach
In the current study, the principles of Intervention Mapping (IM) were applied to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of a specifically tailored mental health programme for a selected student cohort in a large Higher Education Institute in Ireland. Mixed qualitative (Delphi technique and focus group discussions) and quantitative (survey) data were gathered to gain a broad perspective of mental health concerns and learning needs among a sample of higher education students (n = 99).
Findings
Existing evidence guided by theoretical frameworks were blended to create a specifically tailored mental health programme to meet the needs of higher education students in Ireland. Results indicate that the established six-stages of IM provide an empirical process that has the potential to effectively respond to the mental health needs of students in higher education. IM identifies the priority needs of students in higher education and ensures that suitable behaviour change techniques for mental health are addressed.
Keywords
Mental health, Physical activity, Education, Higher education, Mental health promotion.
Publisher
Health Education