Effect of Lavender Oil on Social Anxiety Among First-Year College Students

ABSTRACT

Background:

In order to build learning environments that support both academic and psychological growth, it is important to recognize and manage social anxiety, a problem that is frequently experienced by first-year students in educational settings.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to assess effectiveness of lavender oil on social anxiety among first-year college students.

Methods:

A quasi-experimental research design was employed. The 100 samples selected using the non-probability purposive selection strategy. The instrument has two sections: demographic information and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale.

Results:

The results reveal that in the pretest, 70 (70%) had no anxiety, 12 (12%) had mild anxiety, and 18 (18%) had moderate anxiety, while in the post-test, 85 (85%) had no anxiety, 13 (13%) had mild anxiety, and 2 (2%) had moderate anxiety among first-year students. Students had a mean anxiety score of 37.90 ± 8.59 before and 21.53 ± 5.79 after the test. The mean difference score was 16.37, while the mean difference percentage was 41%. The estimated paired “t”-test result of t = 16.209 was found to be statistically significant at P < 0.001. This demonstrates that the lavender oil on social anxiety administered to students was effective in lowering anxiety levels during the post-test.

Conclusion:

Lavender oil is a promising natural treatment for social anxiety, providing a simple and accessible option with little side effects.

INTRODUCTION

Social anxiety is a common problem among first-year college students, characterized by excessive dread of negative feedback and avoidance of social interactions, which can have a substantial impact on academic performance and emotional well-being. While standard therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication have proven effective, there is an increasing interest in investigating alternative approaches, particularly those derived from natural sources, due to their perceived safety and accessibility. Among these options, lavender oil, produced from the Lavandula angustifolia plant, has received attention for its anxiolytic benefits and low adverse effects.[1] Preliminary study shows that lavender oil may help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.[2] According to research, lavender oil has anxiolytic effects similar to standard drugs such as lorazepam.[3] In addition, lavender oil has been demonstrated to reduce anxiety levels in a number of circumstances, including individuals undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.[4]

The European Medicines Agency has certified lavender essential oil as a natural medication to treat stress and anxiety.[4] Finally, the study implies that lavender oil might be a natural and potentially effective solution for reducing social anxiety in first-year college students. Its anxiolytic qualities, safety profile, and favorable effect on sleep quality make it an intriguing option or supplement to standard therapies for social anxiety.[5] The present research will investigate the efficacy of lavender oil as a viable intervention for social anxiety in this group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A quantitative research approach was used, and the population includes first-year nursing students from a specific college. The students were given 3 to 4 drops of diluted lavender oil in a diffuser once a day for 10–15 minutes for 21 days. The study utilized a non-probability purposive sampling approach, with a sample size of 100 individuals. Students are in their first-year male and female students, as well as those with mild to moderate social anxiety, will be accommodated. Exclusion criteria included students who declined to participate in this study. Students allergic to lavender oil, have any smell issues a relevant history of drug use, smoking, and nasal allergies. Instrument used for data collection consists of a structured questionnaire that assesses the demographic characteristics of first-year college students. Section A includes name, age, gender, medium of language, hosteller, or day scholar were among the demographic characteristics examined. Section B includes the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, which assesses the social anxiety of first-year college students. This scale comprises of 20 questions that describe social anxiety. A post-test was conducted to measure social anxiety. The data were gathered and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Ethical concerns included gaining authorization from the institution’s head, obtaining consent from students, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 were used to analyses the statistics. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of social anxiety was analyzed using frequency and percentage distributions. Demographic factors were assessed using mean and standard deviations. A paired t-test was performed to assess the efficacy of lavender oil in lowering social anxiety among first-year college students. A Chi-square test was performed to determine the relationship between the efficacy of lavender oil in reducing social anxiety among first-year college students and the demographic data employed.

RESULTS

According to the findings, the pretest shows, 70 (70%) had no anxiety, 12 (12%) had mild anxiety, and 18 (18%) had moderate anxiety, whereas in the post-test, 85 (85%) had no anxiety, 13 (13%) had mild anxiety, and 2 (2%) had moderate anxiety among first-year students. The comparison of the pre- and post-test results shows that the students’ mean anxiety score on the pretest was 37.90 ± 8.59, and their mean anxiety score on the post-test was 21.53 ± 5.79. With a mean difference percentage of 41%, the mean difference score was 6.37. At the P < 0.001 level, the computed paired “t”- test value of t = 16.209 was determined to be statistically significant. This suggests unequivocally that the lavender oil was successful in reducing their anxiety levels on the post-test. The majority of students with anxiety (85%) were 17 years old, with 9% being 18 years old and 6% being 19. The sex distribution was 30% male and 70% female. 90% speaks English and 10% speaks Tamil. In terms of residence, 42% resided in hostels, while 58% remained day scholars. The association of post-test level of anxiety among first-year students with their selected demographic variables, showing there is no significant association of level of anxiety among first-year students with demographics like age, sex, language, and residency.

DISCUSSION

Considering examining the effectiveness of lavender oil, it has been found in studies to successfully lower student anxiety levels.[6] Lavender oil intervention has been linked to lower anxiety in a variety of circumstances, highlighting its promise as a natural anxiety treatment.[7] Furthermore, the anxiolytic qualities of lavender oil have been identified in research involving a variety of groups, including surgical patients and those suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Demographic factors can also influence anxiety levels among college students. Finally, the discussion over the efficacy of lavender oil on anxiety among first-year college students should consider the multifaceted nature of anxiety, including demographic variables, external stressors, and the potential benefits of natural interventions such as lavender aromatherapy. More study on the interplay of lavender oil, demographic characteristics, and anxiety levels might give useful insights into improving anxiety management practices for college students.

CONCLUSION

The study explores lavender oil’s effectiveness in treating anxiety among first-year college students and its correlation with demographic factors. It suggests lavender oil can alleviate social anxiety in academic settings, but caution is advised due to the small sample size and confounding factors. Future research with larger samples and rigorous experimental designs is needed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.