Presenter
Lauren Mochnal, OT/S
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
2025
Abstract
Trauma is prevalent among students in higher education, with 66% to 85% of university students having experienced a traumatic event (Wells et al., 2021). Additionally, college students in the United States currently report greater psychological distress and mental health challenges than in the past (Ray et al., 2024). Traumatic experiences can lead to challenges in emotional regulation, delayed brain development, and increased risk of adverse health outcomes and academic failure (Gao et al., 2023). However, use of a trauma-informed care approach to higher education at both a departmental and classroom level can minimize barriers and improve occupational engagement in education, as well as overall mental health and wellbeing of students.
This poster presentation highlights the results of a scoping review that examined the benefits of trauma-informed care approaches to higher education through an occupational therapy lens. In all studies, perceived benefits of trauma-informed care were reported from both a student and a faculty perspective, including improved mental health and wellbeing. Although the evidence suggests that trauma-informed care can improve student outcomes, there is a lack of knowledge regarding occupational therapy education specifically, and further research should be done. This scoping review highlighted current evidence and the need for future research in this subject area, identifying potential next steps for occupational therapists and educators.
Faculty Mentor
Colleen Cameron Whiting, O.T.D., OTR/L
Academic Discipline
College of Health & Wellness
Repository Citation
Mochnal, Lauren, "Impact of Trauma-Informed Care in Higher Education" (2025). Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium. 183.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/innov_symposium/183
