Document Type

Report

College

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Department

Occupational Therapy

Degree

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Report Date

7-2022

Faculty Mentor

Wells, Erin

Doctoral Experiential Coordinator

Latour, Debra

Abstract

"This research study focuses on the student population with a diagnosed disability of Student Accessibility Services at Western New England University. Through a mixed method study (quantitative and qualitative), data was obtained using google survey about stress experiences on a college campus and coping mechanisms used. Students with diagnosed disabilities were found to be experiencing stress relating to academics and social factors. The 12 student participants had varying diagnoses: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Attention-deficit- hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD), Anxiety, Depression, Dyscalculia, Tendonitis, and Post- traumatic stress disorder. Using a Likert scale, the stressful experiences with the highest percentages (very stressful and extremely stressful) were making friends, romantic relationships, school performance, seeking counseling and academic support, taking tests and loud noises. The coping mechanisms most used were exercise, seeking a friend, seeking family support, walking away from the situation, seeking accommodations, headphones to cancel out noise, and listening to music. However, 66.7% of individuals registered with SAS utilize avoidant coping versus 33.3% who utilize active coping. Overall, students presented with difficulty in self-advocating for mental health concern which leads to a decrease in quality of life and well-being, lack of appropriate social support can be detrimental to mental health, and complex processes to help with academic success can add to a student’s present stress load."

Previous Versions

Nov 15 2024 (withdrawn)

Download

Share

COinS