Date of Graduation
5-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Psychological Science
Advisor/Mentor
Vargas, Ivan
Committee Member/Reader
Funkhouser, Eric
Committee Member/Second Reader
Leen-Feldner, Ellen
Abstract
University counseling centers are struggling against resource constraints to meet the rising demand for mental health care. Peer-based mentoring programs offer the potential for an alternative approach to mitigate the increasing demand for treatment and improve overall psychological well-being among college students. However, research investigating peer mentoring programs on college campuses is lacking. This study evaluates program feasibility and potential effectiveness in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms among college students that underwent a 4-week peer mentoring program. Results from this preliminary study indicate peer-based programs may be more effective in reducing symptoms of depression (especially anhedonic depression) compared to anxiety. These data support that peer-based programs may be a promising alternative resource that can be offered at most colleges and universities.
Keywords
Psychology, Peer, Depression, Clinical, Counseling
Citation
Harra, R. (2022). The Effectiveness of Peer to Peer Mentoring in Reducing Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in College Students. Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/psycuht/25
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