Ninth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of engaging in acts of kindness on the affect, social interaction anxiety, and mood of undergraduate students. Participants: This randomized controlled trial involved 69 full-time undergraduate students allocated to either the intervention (kindness + stress booklet; n =35) or comparator (stress booklet; n =34) condition. Methods: The Brief Mood Introspection Scale, the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form, and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale-Straightforward were administered at pre- and immediate post-intervention. Inductive content analysis was performed on open-ended questions exploring participants’ experiences with the study. Results: No statistically significant results were found. Inductive content analysis revealed several themes highlighting an improvement in the wellbeing of those in the intervention group. Conclusions: This study was a positive experience for all participants and demonstrated promise for a larger-scale university-based intervention.