Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: This paper reflects on the experiences of a school psychologist who has encountered a visible increase in stress symptoms amongst adolescents due to the emerging demands of the modern world.We argue that students can be taught to use technologies and Apps to alleviate these stress symptoms, since the researcher cannot always be available as facilitator.Apps that make use of videos, music, nature sounds, and guided mindfulness meditation were initially practiced in a series of interviews with twelve stressed adolescents.They were then encouraged to use the tools and techniques before stressful situations and before sleep at night.Initially, due to levels of anxiety and activation, it was difficult for participants to apply these strategies alone but using technologies as the "mediating other", in times when the researcher was not available, eventually helped redirect attention to somatic regulation and alleviated the need for the device altogether in some cases.Over time they reported increased well-being, reduced anxiety, and fewer stress symptoms as a result of these interventions.
Authors: Geoffrey Lautenbach, Nardia Randell
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2774819348