Effects of an Integrated Stress Management Program (ISMP) for Psychologically Distressed Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated stress management program (ISMP) on college life stress, stress coping, psychological distress, and cortisol among male college students. DESIGN AND METHODS: Out of 137 initially enrolled students, 99 participants were identified as distressed subjects and randomly assigned to either the ISMP or control group. Ultimately, 84 participants (43: experimental, 41: control) completed pretest-posttest. The experimental group received eight 2-hr sessions over 4 weeks. FINDINGS: Stress and psychological distress decreased significantly, whereas stress coping and cortisol did not improve significantly. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Further studies with longer follow-up periods and physiological interventions are required.