ERIC Number: EJ792773
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1055-6699
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Reducing Sub-Clinical Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression: A Comparison of Two College Courses
Brown, Stephen; Schiraldi, Glenn R.
American Journal of Health Education, v35 n3 p158-164 May-Jun 2004
Mental health has been declining among college students in recent years. Reports indicate that even sub-clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression can negatively influence life satisfaction and performance. Mental health experts are calling for more efforts to address these concerns among college and general populations. This study examined the effect of two, 15-week courses for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in functional college students. Twenty-seven participants in a mental health skills course practiced cognitive-behavioral, relaxation, and lifestyle skills. Eighty-six participants in a conventional, stress management course were taught stress theory and practiced relaxation and lifestyle skills. The Spielberg Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory II were used to assess the students' mental health before and after the intervention. An ANCOVA at posttest revealed significantly greater reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms among participants in the mental health skills course. Success with the cognitive-behavioral approach used in the course lends support for the recommendation that educators be trained to adapt some of these skills to classroom settings. Additional research is needed to isolate the most powerful components of the course. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Stress Management, College Students, Life Satisfaction, Mental Health, Depression (Psychology), Anxiety, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Mental Disorders, Program Effectiveness, Cognitive Restructuring, Behavior Modification, Relaxation Training, Life Style, Skill Development, Pretests Posttests
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A