Be REALResilient Attitudes and Living
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A UW Program & StudyThe University of Washington's Center for Child and Family Well-Being (CCFW) has developed Be REAL, a a six-week program to support undergraduate students living in the residential halls. CCFW has completed two evaluations of Be REAL.
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The GoalBe REAL aims to promote well-being among college students and youth. It provides participants with opportunities to learn stress management skills, improve attention and focus, and discuss how these skills apply to daily life in a group setting.
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Research Findings
During the 2017 -2018 academic year, 208 undergraduate students living in residence halls were recruited to participate in Be REAL, a 6-week program that met for 1.5 hours each week. Students completed online surveys at baseline, before and after the program, and a subset of participants (n=80) completed a 3-month follow-up assessment.
Compared to students who had not yet received the program (waitlist control), students who participated in Be REAL improved significantly on a number of well-being outcomes. Students reported:
Compared to students who had not yet received the program (waitlist control), students who participated in Be REAL improved significantly on a number of well-being outcomes. Students reported:
The majority of improvements were sustained at a three-month follow-up. |
The program had high satisfaction among students.
98% said the program was helpful and they were satisfied. |
In 2019 - 2020, another evaluation of Be REAL showed that it was effective in promoting student well-being and mental health when offered in various campus groups. Be REAL has been found to significantly improve student well-being with:
Read more about research on Be REAL in these publications:
Long, R., Halvorson, M. A., & Lengua, L. J. (in press). A Mindfulness-based Promotive Coping Program Improves Well-being in College Undergraduates. Anxiety, Stress & Coping. doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2021.1895986
Long, R., Kennedy, M., Spink, K., & Lengua, L. J. (in press). Evaluation of the Implementation of a Well-being Promotion Program for College Students, Frontiers in Psychiatry. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.610931
Long, R., Halvorson, M. A., & Lengua, L. J. (in press). A Mindfulness-based Promotive Coping Program Improves Well-being in College Undergraduates. Anxiety, Stress & Coping. doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2021.1895986
Long, R., Kennedy, M., Spink, K., & Lengua, L. J. (in press). Evaluation of the Implementation of a Well-being Promotion Program for College Students, Frontiers in Psychiatry. doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.610931
What past participants have to say about Be REAL
They [the skills] help to manage the constant stressors I face and allow me to maintain a clear and level headed mind. |
After using the skills, I feel calmer, more grounded, and less stressed...I feel calmer and kinder to myself. |
Connecting with other students made me feel much less self-conscious about my own efforts and I feel the practices were genuinely helpful and empowering in my life.
We are recruiting participants for the next Be REAL study!
Click here to learn about the next study and how you can participate.
Be REAL Research Partners
ContactInterested in registering? Have questions?
Contact us at rblong2@uw.edu |
