Procedure

Consent forms and surveys were delivered via email to students in the larger study. Prior to beginning the survey, students were informed that the study would take two sessions spaced eight weeks apart (T1, T2) and would require 15 to 20 minutes each. After completing each assessment session, students were entered into a lottery for cash prizes up to $200.

The aim of the larger SARA study was to survey students on a variety of topics including knowledge and use of campus resources. To determine whether feedback on personal levels of stress and resilience would prompt use of more campus services utilization, participants were randomized into one of two groups (Figure 1). The first group (Group 1) was asked to complete measures of stress and resilience on both occasions and received feedback on personal stress and resilience levels after the first assessment, whereas the second group (Group 2) received the stress and resilience measures only at T2. The surveys for both groups at both time points contained standardized scale measures of physical and mental health and well-being. The RRS was administered to Group 1 at both T1 and T2 and administered to Group 2 only at T2. The randomization did not have a statistically significant impact on resource utilization or other study variables; group assignment is not pertinent to this study and is not discussed further. The response rate for the undergraduates in this study was 20%, which was comparable to the response rate in similar surveys in this campus population.⁴⁴ All procedures were approved by the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB).

This figure presents a CONSORT diagram of the larger Stress and Resilience Assessment (SARA) study showing reasons for exclusion from the current study. At T1, Group 1 received the Stress and Resilience Assessments, demographics and validity assessments. At T1, Group 2 received demographics and validity assessments only. Both groups received all assessments at T2.