Faculty Advisor(s)
Kathleen Hughes-Butcher
Abstract
Young adults entering college face a critical developmental transition in which they assume greater responsibility for managing their health and wellness, often without adequate guidance or supportive structures. National data indicate rising rates of mental health concerns, sleep deprivation, and food insecurity among college students, highlighting the need for holistic, context-specific wellness initiatives. The Harmony in Health doctoral capstone project was developed to address this gap by applying occupational therapy’s holistic, occupation-based perspective to promote balance across the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Eight Dimensions of Wellness within the Misericordia University community. The purpose of this capstone was to investigate student wellness needs and implement evidence-informed strategies across four focus areas: research, program development, education, and advocacy. Research involved qualitative, semi-structured interviews exploring how students perceive and engage in wellness-related occupations. Program development centered on creating and piloting a 12-session wellness group designed to build sustainable habits and routines. The educational component produced a 14-module online curriculum for faculty and staff to strengthen wellness literacy and support student success. Advocacy efforts, including a Balance the Backpack simulation and a student-driven letter campaign, elevated awareness of unmet needs and advanced institutional recognition of occupational therapy’s role in higher education. Collectively, Harmony in Health demonstrates the feasibility and impact of embedding occupational therapy within a university setting to enhance student well-being, strengthen campus support systems, and promote sustainable, wellness-focused institutional change.
Publication Date
2026
Document Type
Poster
Department
Occupational Therapy
Keywords
capstone, occupational therapy, student wellness, life balance, eight dimensions
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Strong, Hannah, "Harmony in Health: Supporting College Students Through Multidimensional Wellness" (2026). Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2026. 12.
https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/otd_capstone2026/12