Author: Cole    Spike

Major: Psychology

Graduation Year: 2018

Thesis Advisor: Jordan P. LaBouff

Description of Publication: Evidence suggests that mental disorders for college students are becoming increasingly more serious across the United States (Hefner & Eisenberg 2009). Useful coping and positive social support are essential for college students managing and coping with stress. Health related coaching programs are a promising way to practice the management of many chronic health conditions (Swarbrick et al., 2016) and a way to provide additional support in the education system. LiveWell is a peer wellness coaching program at the University of Maine Student Wellness Resource Center. Student coaches are selected and complete a six-session training on rapport, motivational interviewing, goal setting, as well as helping their client build self-efficacy. Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, Cole Spike investigated the effect of the program on both coaches and peers. Self-report surveys, in the form of both pretest and posttest were administered, that measured a variety changes over time. Measures included life satisfaction, time management, perceived academic performance, academic self-efficacy, perceived social support, anxiety, and stress. A control group of participants from the Psychology Department Participant Pool was recruited. We hypothesized that participants in the peer wellness coaching program would experience a decrease in stress and increase in overall life satisfaction. Results indicated that this type of peer led intervention is effective in regard to the development and self-efficacy of time management skills.

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