A Study to Determine the Effectiveness of a Stress Management Program at Calvin College

Abstract

The problem. This research proposes to determine if the Broene Counseling Center" stress management program is effective in reducing the stress levels of the participants. It also proposes to determine if an increase in stress management skills results in a more positive self-concept. Procedure. Participants in the Academic Support Program (ASP) were chosen as participants in the stress management program. The existing ASP classes were divided into an experimental and a control group. A pre-test/post-test design was used with both groups. The tests used were The Manifest Anxiety Scale and The Tennessee Self- Concept Scale. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Studies (SPSS) at the Calvin College Computer Center. The pre-test group means were compared to the post-test group means. A two-fold t-test was used to determine if the changes in the group means were significant. The level of significance was determined to be .05. Findings. The research failed to support the hypothesis that participation in this program would result in lowered stress levels. It also failed to support that an increase in stress management skills would result in a more positive self-concept. Conclusion and recommendation. It is recommended that this research be repeated with groups consisting of volunteers and non-probationary students. Also, more emphasis should be placed on the experimental and skill components of the program.