Cultivating Professional Resilience and Mental Health in Hospitality Vocational Students: A Positive Psychology Intervention Study

Abstract

This study aims to develop and evaluate a positive psychology-based intervention program to enhance professional resilience and mental health outcomes among hospitality vocational students. The research examines how positive psychological resources can buffer occupational stress, improve psychological adaptation, and promote sustainable career development in the hospitality industry. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 160 hospitality vocational students randomly assigned to experimental (n=80) and control (n=80) groups. The experimental group received a 12-week positive psychology intervention incorporating emotion regulation training, stress management techniques, and resilience-building activities tailored to hospitality scenarios. Assessment tools included the Professional Resilience Scale, Mental Health Inventory, and Occupational Stress Scale, with data collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. The intervention group showed significant improvements in professional resilience (F=12.35, p<0.01) and mental health indicators (F=9.87, p<0.01). Participants demonstrated enhanced stress management abilities (35% improvement), psychological adaptation (42% increase), and reduced anxiety symptoms (31% decrease). The effects remained significant at follow-up, with the experimental group reporting 40% lower internship dropout intention and better mental health outcomes. The positive psychology intervention effectively enhances both professional resilience and mental health in hospitality students. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating psychological support mechanisms into vocational education to foster students' psychological well-being and career sustainability. Yukong Liu, Laiwu Vocational and Technical College, Jinan, Shandong, 271199, China.