Promoting Wellness for Architecture and Landscape Architecture Students: Lessons Learned from a Mixed Method Study
Abstract
Background: Universities face increasing pressure to model healthy campuses in response to the ongoing mental health crisis, yet limited research explores ways to improve student wellness.
Aim: This study explored strategies architecture and landscape architecture students adopt to overcome stress and solutions for promoting wellness in a school of architecture.
Methods: The study utilized a convergent mixed methods research design. First, design students (n = 277) responded to an online wellness survey to explore how they lower stress during their academic studies. Second, semi-structured interviews (n = 37) uncovered students’ coping mechanisms to overcome stress during their academic studies and recommendations for creating a more healthful environment.
Results: Strategies students most often adopted to lower stress were socializing, sleeping, exercising, taking personal time, spending time outdoors, and improving time management. Students recommended improving communication and time management, a sense of community, and building a health and wellness culture. Findings were translated into design considerations for creating healthier places on college campuses.
Conclusions: Design students employ a variety of strategies to overcome the debilitating effects of mental distress. Policies and campus planning efforts should work toward student-informed solutions to promote wellness.
Keywords: Design students, mental health, wellness, mixed-methods, healthy campus
How to Cite:
Battisto, D., Hambright-Belue, S., Browning, L., Hall, L., Blouin, J., Dong, J., Li, X. & Baber, K., (2024) “Promoting Wellness for Architecture and Landscape Architecture Students: Lessons Learned from a Mixed Method Study”, Building Healthy Academic Communities 8(2), 74-92. doi: https://doi.org/10.18061/bhac.v8i2.9768
Rights: Dina Battisto, Sallie Hambright-Belue, Lara Browning, Luke Hall, Julia Blouin, Jiaying Dong, Xiaowei Li, Kristian Baber
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