Effects of Stress Inoculation Training on Anxiety, Stress, and Academic Performance Among Adolescents

The effectiveness of a preventive stress inoculation program for adolescents that consists of a blend of progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and assertiveness training was examined. Trainees were compared with an empirically derived control group on measures of anxiety, stress, and academic performance. Compared with controls, the training program participants showed significantly greater improvements on self-report measures of trait anxiety and stress-related symptoms at posttest. These improvements were maintained at a 4-week follow-up assessment. There were no significant differences between the two groups in academic achievement at either posttest or follow-up.