Design
Design
This current study used an online survey consisting of closed-ended and open-ended questions. The demographic is 18-46-year-old university students at MacEwan University who were balancing the demands of school with the physical and mental challenges of Covid-19 restrictions. Participants anonymously answered questions about the hobbies they participate in during their spare time and reported the effects these hobbies have on their mental health. For some students, that hobby may involve physical activity, like working out or playing a sport. Some may participate in more logical activities, such as puzzles or reading. Other students may enjoy artistic activities, such as painting or playing the guitar. Finally, gaming, social media, or watching TV series are all popular outlets used to pass time.
Quantitative, closed-ended questions provided insight into the lifestyles of the participants, including what their course load was like, what hobbies they enjoy, and their overall mental wellbeing. Qualitative, open-ended questions support the quantitative information and give participants the chance to provide their own accounts of their hobbies and stressors. The research aimed to discover which hobbies most positively impact the mental health of university students while they learn virtually during Covid-19.
The design of this research influenced by three main studies (Twenge & Farley, 2020; Ali et al., 2021; Whitehead & Torossian, 2020) which provided critical theoretical underpinnings for this current study’s research. First, extended usage of social media has been proven to have a negative impact on the mental health of younger demographics, including adolescents and university students (Twenge & Farley, 2020; Ali et al., 2021). The research examined how many students at MacEwan University use social media as an outlet and whether the connection with mental health is consistent with the two studies already listed. Second, sleep habits affected an individual’s mental health (Ali et al., 2021). Additionally, establishing categories for the joy and stress people are experiencing during Covid-19 (Whitehead & Torossian, 2020) helped specify the research being conducted. This current research study connected the stress categories (see Table 4) that people described with their hobbies to determine whether their chosen activities caused them more or less stress. Also, the joy categories (see Table 4) were used to describe some of the emotions people felt after participating in their hobby (or hobbies) of choice.
