Promoting Positive Schemas: A Course-Based Mental Health Intervention Sarah-Lynn Boyle, BSc; Amanda Cox, MA; Alexandra Shrifrin, BA; & Margaret N. Lumley, Ph.D, C.Psych Background Post-secondary education is a period marked by stressors and challenges (e.g., academic, financial, social). (Hamaideh, 2011) The number and severity of mental health challenges within this population appears to be increasing. Curricular based interventions provide a unique opportunity to address this need. (Hunt et al., 2010) Fostering positive schemas through a course-based intervention may have important implications for students with identified mental health challenges. I can adapt to new situations If I try I will succeed I trust other people I believe things will turn out well I value myself Positive Schemas Schemas are mental frameworks that determine an individual’s comprehension, organization, and evaluation of their experiences. (James et al., 2007; Keyfitz et al., 2013) “Change the way you see things, and the things you see will change” -- Wayne Dyer Current Study Purpose: To examine the impact of a for-credit mental health course (PSYC*1400) on students’ positive schemas over one semester. Hypothesis: PSYC*1400 will foster students’ positive schemas over the semester. Method Participants: N = 52 undergraduate students (85% female) aged 17 - 45 (M = 20.33 years, SD = 4.60). Enrolled in PSYC*1400 at the University of Guelph. Have an identified mental health challenge. Measure: Positive Schema Questionnaire (PSQ; Keyfitz et al., 2013) 20-item self report questionnaire measuring positive schemas rated from 1 (completely untrue of me) to 6 (describes me perfectly). T1 α = 0.93 , T2 α = 0.93. Procedure: Participants completed self-report measures at the beginning (T1) and end (T2) of the course. PSYC 1400 Increase positive mental health Increase positive schemas Gain coping strategies Decrease self-stigma Increase academic self-efficacy Self-Efficacy Success Interpersonal Trust Optimism Worthiness Results Conclusions & Implications PSYC*1400 is associated with increases in positive schemas (self-efficacy, interpersonal trust, optimism, and worthiness) and may promote schemas for individuals with mental health difficulties. These results are noteworthy given associations between positive schemas and mental health outcomes (e.g., life satisfaction, resilience, happiness, and reduced psychopathology). (Keyfitz et al., 2013; Tomlinson et al., 2017) Limitations & Future Directions Reliance on self-report measures (need for multi-method, multi-informant designs) Small sample size Lack of control group Need for long-term follow-up on the impact References available upon request. Contact Information: Sarah-Lynn Boyle, BSc (Hons.) MA Student; Clinical Psychology University of Guelph sboyle02@uoguelph.ca RESILIENT YOUTH RESEARCH GROUP CENTRE FOR INNOVATION IN Campus Mental Health Change in total Positive Schemas Change in Positive Schemas Themes d = .42** d = .36* d = .40** d = .41** d = .49** ** p < .01 *p < .05, ** p < .01