Media Releases and Opportunities

How much do extracurricular activities matter when it comes to, well, feelings of mattering?

A research project at Dalhousie University addressed that question with a study highlighting the link between student involvement in activities outside of their main academic pursuits and their sense of mattering -- a key part of mental health that is defined as the extent to which an individual feels they are significant and valued.

Megan Sponagle, who is starting her master’s in Occupational Therapy this fall after graduating with an honours Psychology degree last month, led the study that involved an online survey of 384 undergraduate Dalhousie students. They were asked about the types of activities they were involved in, the number of hours of participation and words to describe how they felt when involved.

The results showed that 59 per cent participated in extracurriculars, most often in academic societies and typically for 17 hours per month. The number of hours spent in any of these activities was linked to a higher feeling of mattering.

Sponagle is available to discuss the findings and how they could help develop initiatives to reduce stress and promote well-being on campus, while improving feelings of mattering in university students through extracurricular activities.

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Media contact:

Alison Auld
Communications, Marketing and Creative Services
Dalhousie University
Cell: 1-902-220-0491
Email: alison.auld@dal.ca