Effectiveness of a six session stress reduction program for groups

This study set out to determine the effectiveness of a 6-week cognitive-behavioral stress reduction course for groups. Two groups (intervention group N=47; matched control group N=47) completed questionnaires on stress, depression, anxiety, worrying, and stress management skills pre and post-intervention, at 6 months and at 1 year follow-up. Results showed decline for all symptoms in the intervention group (linear trends ps<.05), whereas stress management skills remained stable. Clinically significant and reliable change for almost 30% of participants confirmed these findings. No such change was found for the control group. Overall, the data showed small but reliable, long-lasting effects.