Mental health issues are increasing in higher education and finding ways for students to get help when needed is important.
Objective:
We tested if the tone of a short syllabus and the presence of a special statement addressing mental health would increase intentions to approach instructors for help.
Method:
We used a 2 (Tone: warm vs. cold) × 2(Statement: present vs. absent) experimental design. Participants (N = 257) read one of four, two-page syllabi, and rated intentions to reach out for help and the instructor.
Results:
We found a main effect for tone on three Reach Out statements and ratings of the instructor. Presence of the statement influenced likelihood to reach out for help with personal problems.
Conclusions:
Both the tone of a short syllabus and the presence of statements normalizing reaching out for help can influence student intentions to contact instructors for help.
Teaching Implications:
Writing a warm toned syllabus and addressing stress and mental health with a university statement may increase student’s intentions to ask for help.
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