Preventive Training in Management of Stress for Reduction of Physiological Symptoms through Increased Cognitive and Behavioral Controls

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Abstract
This study tested the effectiveness of training in management of stress which combined relaxation and cognitive modification. Students in rehabilitation counseling were taught to identify individual situation-specific sources of stress to develop individual plans for the management of their particular stress. Techniques included progressive relaxation, stretching exercises, and cognitive restructuring. Sixteen participants self-selected for interest in management of stress had 12 biweekly training sessions and were compared to 16 in a no-treatment control on presence of physiological and behavioral stress symptoms and irrational beliefs. Analysis showed 16 trained participants evidenced significant reduction of stress and irrational beliefs from pre- to posttest and at 6-mo. follow-up relative to the control group. Such training as preventive education is discussed.