Exploring university students’ perspectives on Tai Chi for stress reduction: A qualitative study

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• First qualitative study on students’ perspectives of Tai Chi for mental health. • Four themes generated: challenges, enablers, barriers, and Tai Chi program design. • University students highlighted the potential of Tai Chi to manage mental health. • Age-related stereotypes and the need of flexible delivery were noted. Background: University students often encounter substantial barriers to accessing necessary care for managing mental health challenges. This qualitative study aims to explore university students’ perspectives on Tai Chi as a potential intervention for stress reduction and overall wellbeing enhancement. Methods: Five focus groups with eighteen university students who reported stress, anxiety, and/or depression were held online between July and December 2023, covering topics related to mental health, perceptions of Tai Chi, and feedback on a proposed Tai Chi-based stress reduction program. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 14. Results: Three key themes were generated that included: (1) student wellbeing challenges, (2) the perceptions of Tai as a potential resource for coping with demands of being a university student, and (3) enhancing relevance and engagement of students in Tai Chi. Participants highlighted Tai Chi as a promising intervention to address gaps in students’ mental health care, emphasising its potential to enhance and integrate physical and psychological health and foster social connection. However, barriers such as age-related stereotypes and the need for flexible, accessible delivery were noted as crucial to maximising student engagement and participation. The findings will inform the development of a Tai Chi-based stress reduction program Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into how Tai Chi is perceived by university students, which can guide future research in developing tailored mind-body interventions to enhance university students’ mental health and support overall wellbeing.