An ecology of resilience: A nature-informed pilot curriculum for improving stress management in college students.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Mental health of college students is a matter of concern, and counseling centers have experienced a surge in demand and strain on capacity to provide services. This study explored the efficacy of a novel, nature-informed stress management curriculum entitled The Ecology of Resilience delivered via a for-credit general education course. The goals were a more favorable perception of stress and increased sense of bouncing back from stress (resilience). Participants: One hundred fifty-seven junior- and senior-level undergraduates participated in a project spanning three semesters from January 2022 to April 2023. Methods: The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) were employed in a pretest/post-test arrangement. Results: PSS scores decreased significantly and BRS scores increased significantly for students enrolled in the course versus a control group. Conclusions: Curricula like the Ecology of Resilience, presented within the contexts of for-credit academic courses, are viable options for addressing student mental health.