Self-regulation is the ability to intentionally adapt to changes in the environment (Khazan, 2013). While our body can typically regulate itself, stressors in the environment can overpower these regulatory systems, resulting in dysregulation (Mate & Mate, 2022). The ability to intentionally regulate oneself in the face of stress is important,…

The purpose of this study was to understand why students should set aside time for self-care and take "brain breaks" to promote better mental health. To begin the study, it was important to understand the concepts of what self-care habits students had implemented in their day-to-day preferences, what their current stress levels were, and…

This dissertation explores the impact of mindful meditation on imaging students, aiming to determine whether meditation practices can enhance students' overall outlook and mood amidst the numerous stressors encountered within their academic program. Imaging students often face high-pressure situations, including the emotional toll of caring for…

Prevalence of mental health needs, particularly those related to anxiety, depression, and emotion regulation, are on the rise in higher education institutions (Auerbach et al., 2016; Blanco et al., 2008). Research has shown college and university student help-seeking behavior varies by identity and many students are often reluctant to seek support…

Previous studies have examined stress' potential impact on undergraduate college student academic outcomes. The existing literature has defined the populations' lived experiences of stress as a significant factor that can often destabilize a student's physical and mental health, as well as detract from a student's ability to achieve targeted goals…

Within the school setting, students identified as having emotion regulation impairment (ERI) are at particularly high risk for negative academic and personal outcomes. These students often need additional support with mental health. Unfortunately, there are several barriers to providing evidence-based interventions in schools, including time and…

The problem addressed in the study is that university counselors in the United States have been overwhelmed by the surge in student mental health care demand. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation was to explore and document the perspectives of university counselors and how they have been affected by the surge in student mental healthcare…

COVID-19 exacerbated a pre-existing and well-documented mental health crisis on college campuses in the United States. During COVID-19, more college students than ever before in recorded history reported feelings of anxiety and depression, among other mental health issues. There are myriad possible causes for the decline in mental health among…

This study evaluated the impact of a somatic wellness training pilot program specifically designed for marriage and family therapy (MFT) students. Anchored in mindfulness and the person of the therapist (POTT) model, the program aimed to cultivate heightened self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-care practices, incorporating respect for…

Using a qualitative design, a clinical mental health counselor explored the use of trauma-informed self-regulation strategies with clinical mental health counselors in training (CITs) to capture their experience of vicarious trauma. Participants included three CITs in an urban setting and two CITs in a rural setting enrolled in a CACREP-accredited…

The increase in mental health concerns of higher education employees in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused mid-level higher education administrators to reconsider their approaches to wellness and self-care. The purpose of this study was to explore specifically how mid-level student affairs administrators perceive and approach…

This dissertation utilizes a basic qualitative exploratory approach to examine the schooling experiences of eight Black high school males in a predominantly White community. It seeks to understand how they define and make sense of their own mental health and well-being through a theoretical framework of Mental Health and Well-being: A…

Student-athletes at Division 2 institutions may have pressure from athletics and academics that affect their overall wellness. The purpose of this study is to identify pressures Division 2 student-athletes face and the coping strategies present and desired to help mitigate pressures. The research questions are 1) What pressures do student-athletes…

Within the past decade, there has been increased attention to discrimination and racism toward communities of color. In response, many Black and African American adults engage in activism and civic disruption (Szymanski, 2012) to fight against societal structures that further oppress marginalized communities. Conversely, activism can be physically…

This study explored how early childhood educators experience compassion fatigue and what the primary triggers of compassion fatigue are. Findings showed that the three primary triggers of compassion fatigue included poor communication, lack of administrative support, and lack of appropriate self-care opportunities. With this information, the study…