Mental well -being based on tourist experiences of nature in scholarship students from the Universities of Cuenca and Azuay

This initiative has the purpose of promoting leisure and recreation in students with high levels of stress and anxiety, in a situation of economic vulnerability of the Universities of Cuenca and Azuay, through tourist experiences in contact with nature. The study approach is mixed. The quantitative phase is due to the application at various times of the DASS-21 test to identify, evaluate and control groups of students with stress symptoms, depression and anxiety. The qualitative phase focuses on the construction of a tourist experience based on nature and mental well -being in the community November 23 -7 waterfalls- with the aim of reducing symptoms in study subjects. Subsequently, students will be evaluated after their participation in the tourist experience in contact with nature in order to compare the different moments of data uprisings. In addition, the project is part of an interdisciplinary effort that links research teachers and students in research and relationship activities. Finally, the results are framed in having a baseline on mental health and its relationship with tourism to enhance natural attractions in a creative and differentiated way.