Development of the ICWF Framework: A Case Study of Chinese Calligraphy in Cultivating Student Wellness at Guizhou Medical University

This study aimed to construct a conceptual framework for Chinese Calligraphy cultivating student wellness at Guizhou Medical University (GMU). Adopting a qualitative case study design, the research integrated Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) with Perceived Wellness Model (PWM) to explore the mechanisms through which Chinese calligraphy fosters the holistic health of university students. The inquiry was conducted in alignment with the prevailing political, economic, cultural, and educational context of China. The study addressed three primary objectives: a) To interpret the role of Chinese Calligraphy courses on various aspects of student wellness at GMU, b) To explore the interconnection of Chinese calligraphy courses on multiple dimensions of student wellness at GMU, and c) To formulate the conceptual framework for how Chinese calligraphy cultivates student wellness at GMU. This study employed a purposive sampling strategy, with participant size determined by the principle of data saturation. The participants comprised students, lecturers, and experts (N=39). Specifically, data were drawn from six calligraphy sessions involving eighteen students, followed by interviews and focus groups with six student members of the school’s calligraphy club, eight calligraphy lecturers from the GMU, and seven external experts from Chinese calligrapher association of Guizhou Province. Data collection was conducted on campus during the Spring and Fall semesters of 2025. Three strategies were utilised for data triangulation: non-participant observations, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. The collected data were subjected to rigorous thematic and narrative analyses. The findings reveal a structural congruence between the operational dynamics of course and the seven elements of CHAT, while the resultant health outcomes align with the six dimensions of PWM. An Integrated Calligraphy-Wellness Framework (ICWF) was successfully constructed, demonstrating that the curriculum serves as a sophisticated activity system that generates physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, social, and intellectual benefits. Ultimately, the study concludes that Chinese calligraphy represents an optimal pathway for integrating the ‘Aesthetic Education’ and fostering holistic health, despite identified challenges regarding institutional support and evaluative mechanisms.