Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2025
04:12
Mixed Reality for Education MRE Implementation and Results in Online Classes for Engineering
Published on: June 23, 2023
702
Promoting Emotional and Psychological Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Self-Help Virtual Reality Intervention
Clelia Malighetti1, Luca Bernardelli2, Elisa Pancini3
1Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|March 20, 2023
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) self-help interventions can significantly boost emotional and psychological well-being in university students. This 3-week program demonstrated positive outcomes, with most students recommending the experience.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Mental Health Technology
- Higher Education
Background:
- University students face significant mental health challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Promoting emotional and psychological well-being is crucial for this demographic.
- Advanced technologies like virtual reality (VR) show promise for well-being interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 3-week self-help virtual reality intervention.
- To assess the impact of VR on emotional and psychological well-being in university students.
Main Methods:
- A 6-session self-help VR intervention was delivered over 3 weeks.
- Participants experienced diverse virtual scenarios focused on relaxation and emotional awareness.
- A randomized controlled trial design compared an experimental group with a waiting list control group.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significant improvements in emotional well-being.
- Psychological well-being also significantly increased in the VR intervention group.
- A majority of participants reported a willingness to recommend the VR intervention.
Conclusions:
- Self-help VR interventions are a feasible and effective tool for enhancing student mental health.
- VR offers a promising avenue for accessible mental well-being support in higher education.
- The positive reception suggests potential for wider adoption of VR in student wellness programs.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
84
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
84
01:30Stress and Mental Health
189
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
189
01:20Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
113
Emotion-focused coping refers to a set of strategies aimed at managing the emotional impact of stressors, rather than directly addressing their causes. This approach involves altering one's emotional response to stressful situations to reduce their psychological effects. For example, individuals might talk with a friend or engage in activities like journaling to express their feelings. Such actions can help achieve emotional clarity or release, providing the psychological stability needed...
113
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
53
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
53
01:30Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
56
Adopting a healthier lifestyle often requires overcoming significant challenges, but leveraging psychological, social, and cultural resources can facilitate meaningful change. Effective self-change hinges on understanding and applying key tools such as motivation and goal setting, which help sustain efforts toward long-term health benefits.
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
56
01:28Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques V
55
A social support system is a structured network of personal relationships that provides assistance to individuals facing various challenges, offering a buffer against psychological and physical stressors. This network may consist of family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues, or other community members who provide resources and companionship. Social support can take many forms, including advice, emotional comfort, practical help, and companionship. Research indicates that these networks can...
55