Resilience Building and Enhancing Mental Health: A Scoping Review of School-to-University Programs

PURPOSE: The current scoping review examined resilience-promoting interventions for adolescents and young adults, with a focus on those designed or delivered by nurses. METHOD: A systematic search across multiple databases identified 3,092 records, with 14 studies meeting inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Interventions, implemented in various settings, such as schools and health care facilities, included strength-based training, mindfulness, psychoeducation, and cognitive-behavioral approaches, typically lasting 4 to 10 weeks. Outcomes assessed included resilience, emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and self-efficacy. Results indicated that these interventions consistently improved coping skills, enhanced resilience, and reduced psychological distress. Notably, nurse-led programs demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness in delivering these interventions. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that resilience-building strategies are crucial for adolescent mental health, underscoring the vital role of nurses in their implementation. Future research should focus on scalable, nurse-led models and their implications for psychiatric-mental health nursing practice, education, and policy.