{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,30]],"date-time":"2026-06-30T17:47:49Z","timestamp":1782841669555,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"JMIR Publications Inc.","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JMIR Med Educ"],"abstract":"Abstract<\/jats:title>\n \n Background<\/jats:title>\n Undergraduate students, including those preparing for health professions, report high rates of psychological distress and underuse of traditional counseling services. Credit-bearing wellness courses that combine psychoeducation with experiential learning may offer a scalable, curriculum-based approach to supporting student well-being.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Objective<\/jats:title>\n This qualitative study explored how undergraduate students described personal growth, coping, and lifestyle changes following participation in experiential wellness courses.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n An anonymous postcourse online survey captured open-ended responses from students enrolled across 6 wellness course sections. The courses emphasized stress physiology, evidence-based coping strategies, and weekly experiential assignments. Narrative responses from 110 participants were analyzed inductively using the reflexive thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke within a constructivist-interpretivist paradigm.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n A total of six themes were identified: (1) healthy habits and practical lifestyle change; (2) stress management skills and mental health techniques; (3) self-reflection, awareness, and personal growth; (4) relevance and immediate applicability; (5) peer connection and discussion-based learning; and (6) course structure and opportunities for improvement. Students described adopting new coping strategies, developing greater self-awareness, and perceiving course content as relevant and applicable to their daily lives.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n Students described experiential wellness courses as supportive of coping, self-awareness, and behavior change. These findings provide insight into how students engage with and interpret course-based wellness education. Curriculum-integrated approaches may represent a complementary strategy to support student well-being. Future research should examine these approaches across diverse populations and over time.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.2196\/88642","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,6]],"date-time":"2026-05-06T19:25:40Z","timestamp":1778095540000},"page":"e88642-e88642","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Experiential Course Learning, Wellness, and Higher Education: Qualitative Descriptive Study"],"prefix":"10.2196","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0134-0520","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adrianna Lorraine","family":"Watson","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0494-5752","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Neil E","family":"Peterson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3311-4667","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Brandon","family":"Thatcher","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-1516-9702","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Michael","family":"Thomas","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6647-3773","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Stacie","family":"Hunsaker","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5361-5098","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cole","family":"Hooley","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6214-485X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"David","family":"Erekson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0002-1457-9933","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adam","family":"Simpson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8530-1037","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gregory","family":"Snow","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-2937-7081","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rachel","family":"Detrick","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1010","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"R1","unstructured":"Mental health. World Health Organization. Oct 8, 2025. URL: https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/mental-health-strengthening-our-response [Accessed 23-04-2026]"},{"issue":"1","key":"R2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1002\/wps.21160","article-title":"The social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations","volume":"23","author":"Kirkbride","journal-title":"World Psychiatry"},{"key":"R3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cara C Hills M Watson J . An Educator\u2019s Guide to Humanizing Nursing Education: Grounded in Caring Science. Springer Publishing Company; 2021. ISBN: 978-0826190086","DOI":"10.1891\/9780826190093"},{"issue":"6","key":"R4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"556","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.ps.20230414","article-title":"Sociodemographic correlates of mental health treatment seeking among college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"75","author":"Pei","journal-title":"Psychiatr Serv"},{"issue":"9","key":"R5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3681","DOI":"10.1080\/07448481.2023.2187647","article-title":"Supporting student learning and development through trauma-informed campuses","volume":"72","author":"Schroeder","journal-title":"J Am Coll Health"},{"key":"R6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actpsy.2024.104351","article-title":"Mental health and academic performance of college students: knowledge in the field of mental health, self-control, and learning in college","volume":"248","author":"Zhang","journal-title":"Acta Psychol (Amst)"},{"key":"R7","unstructured":"Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: results from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2023. URL: https:\/\/www.issup.net\/files\/2025-07\/SAMHSA%202022-nsduh.pdf [Accessed 23-04-2026]"},{"key":"R8","unstructured":"National College Health Assessment III: reference group executive summary spring 2024. American College Health Association (ACHA); 2024. URL: https:\/\/www.acha.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/NCHA-IIIb_SPRING_2024_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf [Accessed 23-04-2026]"},{"key":"R9","unstructured":"The Healthy Minds Study: 2024-2025 data report. The Healthy Minds Network; 2025. URL: https:\/\/healthymindsnetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2024-2025_HMS-National-Data-Report_Student.pdf [Accessed 23-04-2026]"},{"key":"R10","unstructured":"The Healthy Minds Study: 2014 data report. The Healthy Minds Network; 2014. URL: https:\/\/healthymindsnetwork.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/HMS_national_DataReport_2014.pdf [Accessed 23-04-2026]"},{"issue":"4","key":"R11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"318","DOI":"10.1080\/87568225.2022.2039576","article-title":"The relationship between declared major, therapy utilization rates, and psychological functioning among college students","volume":"37","author":"Erekson","journal-title":"J College Stud Psychother"},{"key":"R12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpsychires.2018.09.018","article-title":"Interventions for common mental health problems among university and college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","volume":"107","author":"Huang","journal-title":"J Psychiatr Res"},{"issue":"7","key":"R13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/12869","article-title":"Digital mental health interventions for depression, anxiety, and enhancement of psychological well-being among college students: systematic review","volume":"21","author":"Lattie","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"issue":"2","key":"R14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"132","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1751-7893.2010.00167.x","article-title":"Prevention and early intervention to improve mental health in higher education students: a review","volume":"4","author":"Reavley","journal-title":"Early Interv Psychiatry"},{"issue":"1","key":"R15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.20935\/MHealthWellB7631","article-title":"Undergraduate student perceptions of course-based mental wellness trainings","volume":"2","author":"Walker","journal-title":"Acad Ment Health Well Being"},{"issue":"7","key":"R16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"797","DOI":"10.1007\/s00038-016-0846-4","article-title":"Setting-based interventions to promote mental health at the university: a systematic review","volume":"61","author":"Fernandez","journal-title":"Int J Public Health"},{"issue":"2","key":"R17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1037\/1931-3918.1.2.105","article-title":"Teaching self-care to caregivers: effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the mental health of therapists in training","volume":"1","author":"Shapiro","journal-title":"Train Educ Prof Psychol"},{"issue":"1","key":"R18","first-page":"57","volume":"4","author":"Schiraldi","journal-title":"Int J Emerg Ment Health"},{"key":"R19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1178632920918288","article-title":"Treatment Modalities and Perceived Effectiveness of Treatment Among Adults With Depression","volume":"13","author":"Alang","journal-title":"Health Serv Insights"},{"key":"R20","unstructured":"Braun V Clarke V . Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide. Sage Publications; 2021. ISBN: 978-1473953246"},{"key":"R21","unstructured":"Lincoln YS Guba EG . Naturalistic Inquiry. Sage Publications; 1985. ISBN: 978-0803924314"},{"issue":"3","key":"R22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2196\/jmir.6.3.e34","article-title":"Improving the quality of web surveys: the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys (CHERRIES)","volume":"6","author":"Eysenbach","journal-title":"J Med Internet Res"},{"key":"R23","unstructured":"Kolb DA . Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall; 1984. URL: https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/235701029_Experiential_Learning_Experience_As_The_Source_Of_Learning_And_Development [Accessed 23-04-2026]"},{"key":"R24","unstructured":"Kolb DA . Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. 2nd ed. Pearson Education; 2015. ISBN: 978-0-13-389240-6"},{"issue":"2","key":"R25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100","DOI":"10.1177\/074171367802800202","article-title":"Perspective transformation","volume":"28","author":"Mezirow","journal-title":"Adult Educ"},{"key":"R26","unstructured":"Mezirow J . Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning. Jossey-Bass; 1991. ISBN: 978-1555423391"},{"key":"R27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2025.1601955","article-title":"Well-being interventions in U.S. colleges: a scoping review from a positive higher education perspective","volume":"16","author":"Zhao","journal-title":"Front Psychol"},{"issue":"1","key":"R28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.1057\/s41599-025-04698-y","article-title":"Examining the effects of academic stress on student well-being in higher education","volume":"12","author":"P\u00e9rez-Jorge","journal-title":"Humanit Soc Sci Commun"},{"issue":"2","key":"R29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1080\/00091383.2025.2471260","article-title":"The student mental health epidemic on Our Nation\u2019s Campuses","volume":"57","author":"Chessman","journal-title":"Change Mag High Learn"},{"key":"R30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/jan.70086","article-title":"When the wounded walk: exploring the lived experience of secondary traumatic stress in the emerging nursing workforce","volume":"81","author":"Watson","journal-title":"J Adv Nurs"},{"key":"R31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.profnurs.2025.03.010","article-title":"A qualitative inquiry into stress and coping among baccalaureate students in preparation for entering the nursing workforce","volume":"58","author":"Watson","journal-title":"J Prof Nurs"}],"container-title":["JMIR Medical Education"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/mededu.jmir.org\/2026\/1\/e88642","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,30]],"date-time":"2026-06-30T17:15:08Z","timestamp":1782839708000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/mededu.jmir.org\/2026\/1\/e88642"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,6]]},"references-count":31,"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.2196\/88642","relation":{},"ISSN":["2369-3762"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2369-3762","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,6]]},"article-number":"v12i1e88642"}}