Determining the Effect of Mindfulness and Storytelling on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) Graduate Student Wellbeing

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.