Student researcher studies mental health in SUNY Oswego students

OSWEGO, N.Y. – A student researcher at SUNY Oswego has been conducting research on mental health, anxiety and overthinking.

Quinn Cielly is a senior psychology student at the university. She has been working in Mahar Hall’s Psychological Sciences Lab to conduct research on various types of people. Cielly received a Student Scholarly and Creative Activity Grant to conduct research on cognitive and physiological responses on short-term stress, and the relationships between overthinking, anxiety, and rumination. 

Cielly split her subjects into three groups based on IQ. The first group consisted of people whose IQ was somewhat below the average IQ of 115, the second group was within the average, and the third group somewhat above the average. 

Originally, the student researcher assumed  that those with a higher IQ would be more prone to anxiety and overthinking, but her research found that she was not entirely right. 

“It’s in the second group showing the highest anxiety score and the highest rumination score, which is interesting because it’s not what we expected,” Cielly said. 

Cielly said this time of year can be very stressful for her fellow students at SUNY Oswego. With graduation and finals coming up soon, it’s easier for students to feel a little more stressed than usual. Cielly provided some tips on how students can overcome this end-of-year anxiety.

“In order to perform well and to achieve the things you want to achieve, you have to put yourself first. So make sure you set aside at least 10 minutes everyday to do something that you love,” Cielly said. 

Students who are feeling overwhelmed or if they need help can visit Mary Walker Health Center on campus or speak to Crisis Counseling by calling 315-312-4416.