Interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of engineering students: a scoping review.

Tait, J.E.; Alexander, L. A.; Hancock, E.I.; Bisset, J.

Abstract

Engineering students enter a challenging sector in higher education and are potentially at risk of poor mental health and or mental wellbeing and less likely to seek help when experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing. We carried out a scoping review using Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology. Ten databases were searched over a three-year period. Searches identified 191 sources of evidence after title screening and 33 sources of evidence were included for final extraction following full-text screening. Included studies represented over 4000 engineering students from 10 countries. Studies were mostly pilots, suggesting a lack of diverse research methods in the existing research base. Studies also varied in approaches to reporting. Interventions included training, relaxation, technology use, alternative teaching models, support services and a study break with a range of outcome measures used to evaluate intervention effects. Study results indicated reduced stress and anxiety, improved academic achievement, improved communication, motivation, physiological responses, attitude, and increased physical activity, health awareness, and confidence. Mindfulness activities appear to be helpful to engineering students. The review mapped interventions to support mental health and wellbeing in engineering students but identified a need for further high-quality robust studies that are transparently reported using reporting guidelines.

Citation

TAIT, J.E., ALEXANDER, L.A., HANCOCK, E.I. and BISSET, J. 2024. Interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of engineering students: a scoping review. European journal of engineering education [online], 49(1), pages 45-69. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2023.2217658

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 19, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 10, 2023
• Publication Date: Feb 29, 2024
• Deposit Date: May 24, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 24, 2023
• Journal: European journal of engineering education
• Print ISSN: 0304-3797
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-5898
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 49
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 45-69
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2023.2217658
• Keywords: Engineering students; Mental health; Mental wellbeing
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1972421
• Related Public URLs: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1798653 (Protocol)
• Additional Information: A pre-print version of this article is available at https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/msvqt.