Perceived Effectiveness of Coping Mechanisms and Medication Use on Decreasing Stress and Anxiety

Faculty Sponsor

Rachel Murray

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Social Work, Mental Health

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-29-2021

Abstract

In a time full of economic, social, and environmental pressures and turmoil, stress amongst Americans has heightened significantly. When one adds course requirements, job applications, and student loans to this, as many college seniors do, the stress and anxiety piles on higher and higher. Within this single subjects design study, I tracked the perceived effectiveness of three different anxiety coping mechanisms (prescribed medication as needed, morning meditation, and breathing exercises) on an individual college senior. The central focus of the study is to understand the perceived difference between proactive and reactive responses to stress and anxiety. I gathered data by having the participant fill out a survey daily to report the amount of medication taken, proactive behaviors performed, or reactive behaviors performed and their perceived effectiveness of it. There is a wide collection of research around anxiety and it has been shown that coping mechanisms are effective in reducing the number of anxiety episodes.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Natalie is a senior Social Work and Sociology with Criminology double major from Sheboygan, WI. Through her time at Valpo she has been involved in numerous student activities such as the University Programming Council, Fraternity and Sorority Life, and Chapel Activities. After graduation, she will be joining the Navy as an Intelligence Specialist and will pursue a Masters in Social Work.

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