Kindness as an Intervention for Student Social Interaction Anxiety, Resilience, Affect, and Mood

Detailed Summary

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of engaging in deliberate acts of kindness on resilience (primary outcome); social interaction anxiety and affect (secondary outcomes); and mood (exploratory outcome) of undergraduate and graduate students at Western University (UWO). Recruitment of 200 participants consisting of 150 full-time undergraduate and 50 graduate students, randomized to either the intervention (n=100) or control group (n=100) will be achieved via a mass email to all full-time students at UWO. Both intervention and control groups will receive an email with access to a relaxation and stress management booklet from UWO's Wellness Education Centre (http://studentexperience.uwo.ca/docs/RelaxationAndStressManagement.pdf). In addition, the intervention group will be asked to (1) complete and log/submit a minimum of three deliberate acts of kindness per day for one month, and (2) join the study-dedicated online site to connect with, support, and share experiences and ideas with each other around acts of kindness. Individuals in the intervention group will also receive a list of deliberate acts of kindness ideas, for reference. Baseline, immediate post intervention, and three-months post intervention data will be collected using previously validated questionnaires associated with each outcome of interest, and posted to Qualtrics, an online survey tool. Additionally, immediately following the intervention and 3 months post intervention all participants will complete an open-ended question asking them to describe their overall experience being involved in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis will occur upon the completion of the study.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions