Date of Award

Summer 2025

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Department

Educational Studies

First Advisor

Dodie Limberg

Abstract

Rural communities face unique mental health and wellness challenges, including geographic isolation, provider shortages, and stigma surrounding help-seeking. This dissertation explores rural wellness through three interrelated studies, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods to examine disparities, perceptions of rurality, and demographic influences on well-being. The first study utilized the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-WEL) to compare wellness scores between rural and non-rural individuals. The second study employed Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore rural definitions of wellness, as well as barriers and strengths related to mental health. The third study examined how perceptions of rurality and demographic factors predict wellness outcomes. These findings underscore the necessity for rural mental health interventions that prioritize social connection and belonging instead of focusing solely on demographic risk factors. Counselor education programs should equip professionals to address both rural cultural strengths and barriers. Policymakers should expand community-driven wellness initiatives, integrate mental health into trusted rural institutions, and emphasize the use of telehealth services. This research broadens the understanding of rurality as a multidimensional experience rather than a singular classification. Future research should explore longitudinal trends, intersectional rural identities, and innovative wellness strategies tailored to rural context communities.

Rights

© 2025, Lucas Perez

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