Open AccessAn Improvisation, Mindfulness, and Stress Workshop for Incoming First-Year Students
Author(s) -
Cynthia Bane,
Christopher M. B. Haymaker
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of college orientation and transition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2690-4535
pISSN - 1534-2263
DOI - 10.24926/jcotr.v19i2.2800
Subject(s) - mindfulness , improvisation , psychology , coping (psychology) , stress management , mood , session (web analytics) , interpersonal communication , clinical psychology , applied psychology , psychotherapist , medical education , social psychology , medicine , art , world wide web , computer science , visual arts
Avoidant coping strategies interfere with successful college adjustment. Mindfulness is negatively correlated with avoidant coping. The current pilot study investigated the feasibility of an improvisation- and mindfulness-based stress-management workshop during orientation week for first-year students. The workshop was held two consecutive years; 10 incoming students participated in each workshop. Workshop activities included improvisational theater games and discussions regarding stress and coping. Participants completed pre-session and post-session measures of mood, willingness to accept negative experiences, and willingness to take action. Participants showed a significant decrease in negative mood and a significant increase in willingness to take action. Participants perceived the workshop as effective in facilitating a smooth transition and enhancing interpersonal skills. For first-year students interested in stress management and improvisational theater activities, this type of workshop is a feasible option for helping students adjust to their first days of college and learn about effective coping strategies.