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Article
Kindness as an Intervention for Student Social Interaction Anxiety, Resilience, Affect, and Mood: The KISS of Kindness Study II
Journal of Happiness Studies
  • Katie J. Shillington, Western University
  • Andrew M. Johnson, Western University
  • Tara Mantler, Western University
  • Shauna M. Burke, Western University
  • Jennifer D. Irwin, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2021
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1007/s10902-021-00379-0
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of deliberate acts of kindness (DAKs) plus access to a stress management booklet (intervention), compared to the booklet alone (control) on the stress-related outcomes of resilience, social interaction anxiety, affect, and mood of undergraduate and graduate students. Participants’ study-related experiences were also explored, as were the types of DAKs. This repeated-measures, randomized controlled trial included 112 students (80 undergraduate and 32 graduate) with 56 in each condition. Four previously validated scales were implemented at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 3-months post-intervention. A linear mixed effects model was utilized with group and time entered as fixed effects. Content analysis of open-ended question responses and DAKs logs was conducted. The KISS of Kindness II had a statistically significant interaction effect on the intervention group participants’ resilience (p = 0.0099), social anxiety (p = 0.0016), and negative affect (p = 0.0033), but had no significant impact on their positive affect or mood. Intervention participants described improvements in mental wellbeing. DAKs were plentiful (1,542 DAKs, 26 types), and show promise for university-based mental health interventions.

Citation Information
Katie J. Shillington, Andrew M. Johnson, Tara Mantler, Shauna M. Burke, et al.. "Kindness as an Intervention for Student Social Interaction Anxiety, Resilience, Affect, and Mood: The KISS of Kindness Study II" Journal of Happiness Studies Vol. 22 Iss. 8 (2021) p. 3631 - 3661
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/andrewjohnson/88/