Multiple stressors and stressor identification across assessment methods: findings from a psychosomatic rehabilitation sample within the ICD-11 adjustment disorder framework.

In recent years, the mental health issues among adolescents and young adults worldwide have become a growing global concern. A recent study published in estimated that approximately 293 million individuals aged 5–24 globally suffer from at least one mental health disorder, with a prevalence rate of 13.63% among those aged 20–24 (). In China, problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders are particularly prominent among university students (). Consequently, promoting student well-being and identifying effective educational approaches to support students’ psychological health have become important priorities in higher education. In response to this challenge, increasing attention has been directed toward innovative educational approaches that support students’ psychological well-being alongside academic development. Among these approaches, art education has attracted growing interest because of its potential to facilitate emotional well-being and self-expression (). However, current research has largely focused on clinical art therapy, whereas the psychological value of art-related learning experiences in formal educational settings remains underexplored (). This gap highlights the need to investigate how educational art activities may contribute to students’ emotional well-being and personal development. Outdoor Landscape Sketching is a foundational practice-oriented course commonly offered in undergraduate art and design education. This course guides students to immerse themselves in both natural and cultural environments, thereby developing their observational, representational, and aesthetic skills while simultaneously experiencing diverse emotional and sensory stimuli. Beyond its educational function, Outdoor Landscape Sketching may also provide psychological benefits through stress reduction, emotional regulation, and enhanced self-awareness (). Artistic activities in outdoor environments have further been associated with enhanced emotional management and personal reflection (). Therefore, the course provides a unique educational context in which environmental experiences, artistic creation, and perceived psychological outcomes may be closely interconnected ().