ABSTRACT
Poor student well-being at UK universities is overstretching institutional support services, highlighting a need for effective new resources. Despite extensive literature on mental health and well-being interventions, students' engagement with support remains unexplored. The study aimed to understand students' experience of engagement with well-being support, identify their well-being needs and form concrete recommendations for future intervention design and delivery. The Person-Based Approach to intervention design was followed to centralise users' experience, in turn maximising acceptability and effectiveness of resources. An online survey (N = 52) was followed by three focus groups (N = 14). Survey data were analysed descriptively, and reflexive thematic analysis was performed on qualitative data. Mixed-methods data integration produced four key student priorities for well-being resources - ease of access, inclusive and preventative approach, sense of community and a safe space, and applying skills to real-life contexts. Five actionable guiding principles for intervention design were produced through consultation with expert stakeholders. This work helps understand why and how students engage with support at university. The resulting recommendations can inform future intervention development, leading to more acceptable, engaging and effective student well-being resources.
Subject(s)
Mental Health , Students , Humans , Students/psychology , UniversitiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The Covid-19 pandemic led the British Tinnitus Association to offer more online support to people with tinnitus. The aim of this study was to understand how low-intensity group-based digital interventions could benefit people with tinnitus. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences and views on receiving support via an online group. STUDY SAMPLE: Sixteen people with tinnitus who had attended a recent online tinnitus group and/or workshop were recruited using convenience sampling. RESULTS: Three overarching themes were extrapolated from the data: feeling part of a community, being reliably informed, and living better with tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported significant benefits from both types of online group. There was appreciation for the accessibility of help during lockdown, and participants felt that this type of support would continue to be valuable post-pandemic. As seen in research on face-to-face groups, benefits came from a supportive community of people with tinnitus and knowledgeable, skilled and trustworthy facilitation and information provision. Outcomes focussed on feeling less isolated, more informed and hopeful. Online groups could offer an accessible ongoing resource supporting people on their journey with tinnitus.