Face to Face 9:45 – 11:00 AM CT: Poster Session 

Title of presentation: You've Got a Friend in Me: A Systematic Review of Peer Support in Education Settings  
Presenter:  Lula Some
Advisor:  Sophia Crittenden
 
Abstract:

College students are facing an increasingly difficult time balancing socialization, grade-point averages, and mental health. There have been numerous studies conducted over the past several decades documenting the decline of mental wellbeing college students are experiencing, with almost one third of all students suffering from a diagnosable mental health condition (Eisenberg D. et al, 2013). A proposed idea to address the rising concern is increased peer support on campus. There have been stand-out research studies conducted that show that peer support is effective for reducing anxiety and depression and improving academic performance and feelings of socialization in individuals. The purpose of this systematic review article is to present the findings from these studies, and evaluate the effectiveness of continuous peer support in improving college students’ overall well-being in academics, mental health, and social integration.