A study on the effectiveness of a stress management programmefor College students

Authors

  • Silvia L Iglesias Catedra de Quımica Analıtica Instrumental, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquımica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junın 956 Piso 3 (1113), Capital Federal, Argentina.
  • Martin F Desimone Catedra de Quımica Analıtica Instrumental, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquımica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junın 956 Piso 3 (1113), Capital Federal, Argentina.
  • Luis E DIAZ Catedra de Quımica Analıtica Instrumental, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquımica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junın 956 Piso 3 (1113), Capital Federal, Argentina.
  • Sergio Azzara Catedra de Metodologıa para la Investigacion Psicologica, Facultad dePsicologıa, Universidad de Buenos Aires
  • Mario Squillace Catedra de Metodologıa para la Investigacion Psicologica, Facultad dePsicologıa, Universidad de Buenos Aires
  • Maria R Lores Arnais Catedra de Metodologıa para la Investigacion Psicologica, Facultad dePsicologıa, Universidad de Buenos Aires

Keywords:

Stress management, students, salivary cortisol, psycho-physiological reactivity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to obtain empirical evidence of the effects of a stress management programme on undergraduate Pharmacy and Biochemistry students. As a first stage, we evaluated beliefs, academic skills and personal stress involvement problems in 136 students. As a second stage, we designed a stress management pilot programme (SMPP) including psycho-educational  resources; coping  skills  training;  deep  breathing,  relaxation  and  guided  imaginary techniques; cognitivere structuring and time management. To evaluate the effects of the SMPP on students we assessed a set of variables before and after the treatment: Anxiety, anger, stress, coping strategies, helplessness, salivary cortisol and psycho-physiological reactivity levels. Towards the end of their SMPP exposure, students had lower levels of stress, anxiety, anger, neuroticism, helplessness and salivary cortisol. These results suggest that SMPP has a promising applicability to deal with high levels of stress, improving the students academic performance and health.

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How to Cite

Iglesias, S. L., Desimone, M. F., DIAZ, L. E., Azzara, S., Squillace, M., & Lores Arnais, M. R. (2018). A study on the effectiveness of a stress management programmefor College students. Pharmacy Education, 5(1). Retrieved from https://pharmacyeducation.fip.org/pharmacyeducation/article/view/111

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2005)

Section

Research Article

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