Storytelling and Mindfulness for Graduate Student Wellbeing

Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate an intervention for improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) graduate student wellbeing. Participants will be recruited from the University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student body. Data will be collected from participants for up to 2 years, and the investigators anticipate that the study will last for 4 years.

Detailed Description

The objective of this research is to evaluate the utility of storytelling and mindfulness practice in improving wellbeing in STEM graduate students. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does engaging in mindfulness practice and storytelling increase measures of wellbeing in this population? 2. Does engaging in mindfulness practice and storytelling increase measures of academic success? Participants will be randomized to 1 or 4 conditions (each will complete study questionnaires): * a survey-only Control Group to complete a survey evaluating wellbeing and academic success * Intervention Group 1 which will take a virtual Science Story workshop * Intervention Group 2 which will engage in a mindfulness practice using the Healthy Minds Program (HMP) app for 2 weeks * Intervention Group 3 which will both take a virtual Science Story workshop and use the HMP app for 2 weeks Researchers will compare survey results from participants in the control group (no intervention, survey only) to those from participants in the intervention groups to see if the measures of wellbeing and academic success differ between groups.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions