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iComm: an intervention designed to teach undergraduates to use non-directive support
Thesis

iComm: an intervention designed to teach undergraduates to use non-directive support

Michael Trieger
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Drexel University
Jun 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3934
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Trieger_Michael_20121.07 MB
PDF Project Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu
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Trieger_Michael_2012_Suppl11.38 MB
PDF (supplemental) Poster Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu

Abstract

iComm Non-Directive support Undergraduates Public Health
Stress is a normal physiological response to an event that threatens or upsets a person. Stress can be useful and act as a motivator, but prolonged stress can have serious health consequences. These include high blood pressure, heart disease, chest pain, and decrease immune function. When a person is stressed they often seek social support from another individual. However, most people are not trained to give social support, and receiving poor social support can increase an individual's stress levels. Often people will give directive support, such as giving advice or telling a person not to worry, which often is not the best type of support. Instead, non-directive support, actively listening and repeating back what a person says, is often the best course of action. The UPenn iComm initiative was an intervention designed to teach undergraduates to give non-directive support to their peers through a 90-minute lecture. Subjects of the study were undergraduate freshman living in one of three selected residence halls. Five surveys were issued at different time points to measure the effectiveness of the intervention. Key outcome variables were looking at the change of the opinion and behavior of the students of using non-directive and directive support, as well as anxiety depression and stress levels. Directive opinion score and behavior score decreased after the workshop. Non-directive opinion score increased after the workshop. Non-directive behavior score was unaffected by the workshop. This study can be used as a framework for other interventions across the country to help students deal with the increased stress levels they face when entering college.

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