Storytelling and Mindfulness for Graduate Student Wellbeing

BEHAVIORAL

Mindfulness Practice

Participants follow guided meditations in the Healthy Minds Program (HMP) mobile phone app for at least 15 min per day, for a total of 14 days.

BEHAVIORAL

Storytelling Workshop

Participants attend 1 (120 min) workshops, teaching them creative writing tools and giving them opportunities to apply those tools.

Change from Baseline in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of environmental, interpersonal, and self-awareness. It is a 39-item self-report questionnaire rated on a 1 to 5 scale from 1 (never or very rarely true) to 5 (very often or always true). Mean score from 1-5 is reported with higher scores indicating increased mindfulness.

Change from Baseline in Perceived stress scale at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a 21 question evaluation of perceived stress. It is a 14-item self-report questionnaire rated on a 1 (Never) to 4 (Very often) scale. Mean score from 1-4 is reported with higher scores indicating increased perception of stress.

Change from Baseline in WHO-5 Well-being Index at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This is a 5 question survey of well-being developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a self-report questionnaire rated on a scale from 0 (At no time) to 5 (All the time). Mean score from 0-5 is reported with higher scores indicating greater well-being.

Change from Baseline in PROMIS Depression Questionnaire at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of emotional distress/depressive symptoms available from PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). It is a 4-tem self-report questionnaire rated from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always). Mean score from 1-5 is reported with higher scores indicating greater emotional distress/depressive symptoms.

Change from Baseline in PROMIS Anxiety Questionnaire at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of anxiety available from PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). It is a 4-tem self-report questionnaire rated from 1 (Never) to 5 (Always). Mean score from 1-5 is reported with higher scores indicating greater anxiety.

Change from Baseline in PROMIS Sleep Disturbance Questionnaire at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of sleep quality available from PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). It is an 8-item self-report questionnaire rated from 1 (Very poor) to 5 (Very good) or 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Very much). Mean score from 1-5 is reported with higher scores indicating greater sleep disturbance.

Change from Baseline in PROMIS Global Health Questionnaire at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of overall health available from PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System). It is a 10-item self-report questionnaire. Mean scores are reported for each of 5 sections. The first 6 questions are rated on a scale of 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent); higher scores indicate better health. Question 7 is rated on a scale of 1 (Not at all) to 5 (Completely), with higher scores indicating better physical health. Question 8 is rated on a scale of 1 (Always) to 5 (Never), with higher scores indicating better mental health. Question 9 is rated on a scale of 1 (Very severe) to 5 (None), with higher scores indicating greater fatigue. Question 10 is rated on a scale of 0 (No pain) to 10 (Worst pain imaginable), with higher scores indicating greater pain.

Change from Baseline in Vanderweele Flourishing Measure at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of life satisfaction, measuring 6 categories of life satisfaction; mean scores for all measures are reported. It is a 12-item self-report questionnaire. Domain 1 is measured on a scale of 0 (Not satisfied at all) to 10 (Completely satisfied). Domain 2 is measured on a scale of 0 (Poor) to 10 (Excellent), with higher scores indicating greater mental and physical health. Domain 3 is measured on a scale of 0 (Not at all worthwhile) to 10 (Completely worthwhile), with higher scores indicating greater perceived meaning and purpose. Domain 4 is measured on a scale of 0 (Strongly disagree) to 10 (Strongly agree), with higher scores indicating greater mental stability. Domain 5 is measured on a scale of 0 (Strongly disagree) to 10 (Strongly agree), with higher scores indicating better quality social relationships. Domain 6 is measured on a scale of 0 (Worry all of the time) to 10 (Do not ever worry), with higher scores indicating greater financial stability.

Change from Baseline in Academic Working Alliance Inventory at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of the quality of the relationship between a student and an advisor. It is a 12-item self-report questionnaire measured on a scale of 1 (Never) to 7 (Always). Mean scores are reported, with higher scores indicating a better quality relationship between student and advisor.

Change from Baseline in Academic Persistence Inventory at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of the likelihood that a student will complete their degree. It is a 28-item self-report questionnaire rated on a scale of 1 (No confidence OR Strongly disagree, depending on question) to 5 (Complete confidence OR Strongly agree, depending on question). Mean scores are reported, with higher scores indicating a greater likelihood of the student completing their degree.

Change from Baseline in Copenhagen Burnout Inventory at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of burnout. It is a 15-item self-report questionnaire measured on a scale of 1 (Never/almost never) to 5 (Always). Mean scores are reported, with higher scores indicating greater levels of burnout.

Change in Baseline in Healthy Minds Index at 4 weeks

Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks

This survey is a measure of 4 facets of mindfulness: awareness, connection, insight, and purpose. It is a 17-item self-report questionnaire measured on a scale of 0 (None of the time OR Not at all, depending on question) to 4 (All of the time OR To the highest degree, depending on question). Mean scores are reported with higher scores indicating greater mindfulness.

Change in Grade Point Average

Time frame: Baseline, year one - semester one, year one - semester two, year two - semester one, year two - semester two

This outcome is determined by the student's performance in academic courses at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It is measured on a scale of 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating greater academic success.

Change in Dissertator status

Time frame: Baseline, year one - semester one, year one - semester two, year two - semester one, year two - semester two

This outcome is determined by the student's progress in completing their thesis research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Achieving dissertator status indicates that the student has passed their preliminary exam for attaining a doctoral degree.

Change in Enrollment status

Time frame: Baseline, year one - semester one, year one - semester two, year two - semester one, year two - semester two

This outcome is determined by the student's progress in completing their thesis research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A student who is currently enrolled is assumed to be making progress towards completing their degree.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.