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Abstract
College students are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety. As a result, universities are seeing an increased need for ways to help students cope with pressures they face. One method could be through using multisensory environments (MSEs) as an opportunity for students to self-regulate. This research was intended to expand on well-documented theories that environments with nature-based elements (ART and Biophilia), which were user controlled (Ulrich’s Theory of Supportive Environments) and had artistic installations (Receptive Arts Engagement) could reduce stress and anxiety. Through collaboration with the Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation and the Stantec Innovation Partnership grant from the Interior Design Educators Concil, a permanent space for such an environment was identified and equipped with some of the popular sensory features being used. The room was designed using elements with researched beneficial properties and installed in the Ferguson Building at UNC-Greensboro. The grant went towards the design, furnishings, and finishing the space. A study was conducted with 19 students between the Summer and Fall semesters, and a digital questionnaire was administered, followed by a verbal interview. Students identified their current coping strategies, their favorite and least favorite elements in the room, and many stated they enjoyed the space and felt better afterwards during the qualitative interview. However, the quantitative data showed no statistically relevant correlation. This could be due to multiple factors such as the timing of the study, the lack of availability of participants, and the scales used. There was enough qualitative evidence provided by participants to justify further investigation.