Novel Approaches to Developing Student Wellbeing in School-Settings: Martial Arts and Cooperative Electronic Gaming
Tracks
Royal Poinciana Room
| Tuesday, March 21, 2023 |
| 10:40 AM - 11:00 AM |
Overview
Brian Moore, Charles Sturt University
Speaker
Brian Moore
Lecturer/researcher
Charles Sturt University
Novel Approaches to Developing Student Wellbeing in School-Settings: Martial Arts and Cooperative Electronic Gaming
Abstract
Psychological wellbeing and mental health are increasingly recognised as essential for individual health and community productivity (World Health Organisation, 2021). In Australia, an estimated one in seven (or 560,000) Australian youth and adolescents experience mental health disorders (Australian Medical Association, 2018). However, only 30% of Australian youth and adolescents report using mental health services (Islam et al., 2020). This is concerning given the importance of early intervention to minimise the effects of mental illness across the lifespan (Australian Government Department of Health, 2011).
It has been proposed that this might be addressed using school systems, which provide a “natural and accessible” way to address the mental health issues of youth and adolescents (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017, p. 32). This presentation considers two novel approaches for increasing student engagement with mental health services in schools: (1) a martial arts-based psychosocial intervention, and (2) the use of cooperative electronic gaming.
The martial arts-based intervention was assessed using a randomised controlled trial of 283 secondary-school participants. Results indicated the experimental conditions’ levels of resilience and self-efficacy improved post-intervention (Moore et al., 2021). The latter approach is currently being piloted as an intervention with primary-school participants to address school-based bullying. This approach uses cooperative electronic gaming to promote cooperative goals and improve relationships.
Given the relatively small proportion of Australian youth and adolescents accessing mental health services, it is vital to find effective ways of engaging with this group. Novel approaches can improve psychological strengths, providing “real and compelling” (Sherif, 1956, p. 58) interventions that may facilitate student uptake of mental health services in schools.
Three key learnings:
- School-based mental health services,
- Intervention efficacy related knowledge regarding physical activity, and
- Novel complementary approaches for addressing mental health.
It has been proposed that this might be addressed using school systems, which provide a “natural and accessible” way to address the mental health issues of youth and adolescents (Werner-Seidler et al., 2017, p. 32). This presentation considers two novel approaches for increasing student engagement with mental health services in schools: (1) a martial arts-based psychosocial intervention, and (2) the use of cooperative electronic gaming.
The martial arts-based intervention was assessed using a randomised controlled trial of 283 secondary-school participants. Results indicated the experimental conditions’ levels of resilience and self-efficacy improved post-intervention (Moore et al., 2021). The latter approach is currently being piloted as an intervention with primary-school participants to address school-based bullying. This approach uses cooperative electronic gaming to promote cooperative goals and improve relationships.
Given the relatively small proportion of Australian youth and adolescents accessing mental health services, it is vital to find effective ways of engaging with this group. Novel approaches can improve psychological strengths, providing “real and compelling” (Sherif, 1956, p. 58) interventions that may facilitate student uptake of mental health services in schools.
Three key learnings:
- School-based mental health services,
- Intervention efficacy related knowledge regarding physical activity, and
- Novel complementary approaches for addressing mental health.
Biography
Dr Brian Moore is a researcher and lecturer at Charles Sturt University whose research promotes mental health and wellbeing. With a professional background as a registered psychologist and educator, Dr Moore has significant experience working with children, adolescents, and their families. Dr Moore’s most recent work examined a martial arts-based psychosocial intervention with adolescents. This work has been translated in an international collaboration with researchers in India. Additionally, Dr Moore leads studies that examine pre-service teacher wellbeing and workforce retention, and is currently piloting an intervention using cooperative electronic gaming to improve conflict related to school-based bullying.
