Lowering stress while teaching research: a creative arts intervention in the classroom

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Psychological Interventions
• Student Well-being

Background:

• Undergraduate students seek practical research experience, often unavailable in introductory courses.
• Baccalaureate nursing students require opportunities for hands-on research participation.
• Assessing the impact of creative arts on student mental health is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide undergraduate nursing students with a hands-on experimental research experience.
• To evaluate the effect of a creative arts intervention on student stress, anxiety, and emotions.
• To integrate research design, participation, and analysis into a single course.

Main Methods:

• Students participated in designing and conducting an experimental research study.
• A creative arts intervention was implemented to assess its impact.
• Data analysis was performed by the students to interpret project outcomes.

Main Results:

• The creative arts intervention significantly decreased stress levels in students.
• Anxiety levels were notably reduced following the intervention.
• Students reported an increase in positive emotions post-intervention.
• The project provided a valuable creative research experience.

Conclusions:

• Creative arts interventions can effectively manage stress and anxiety in undergraduate nursing students.
• This educational model successfully integrated research participation and mental health support.
• The intervention shows potential for application with diverse vulnerable populations.