Effects of Psychosocial Stress Management on Stress and Coping in Student Nurses

Kim, Cho Ja; Hur, Hea Kung; Kang, Duck Hee; Kim, Bo Hwan

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose was to examine the effectiveness of a psychosocial stress management program on stress and coping in student nurses. METHOD: A nonequivalent control group pre-posttest design was used. A convenience sample of 24 students from the Department of Nursing, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University were assigned to experimental (n=12) and control groups (n=12). Stress was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (10 points) and blood cortisol. Coping was measured using a scale modified by So (1995) based on the Ways of Coping Checklist developed by Folkman and Lazarus (1985). Depression was measured using the CES-D by Radloff (1977) and state anxiety, using the State Anxiety Inventory by Spielberger (1976). The psychosocial stress management program included education, relaxation (Korean Dan Jeon-typed Breathing and music), and social support. RESULTS: Results showed for the two groups, 1) a significant difference in stress scores (U= 19.50, p=0.002), 2) no difference in cortisol levels (8am, 4pm), 3) a significant difference in problem-focused coping (U=25.50, p=0.007), 4) no difference in emotion-focused coping, and 5) no difference in state anxiety and depression. CONCLUSION: By utilizing the program, students were able to learn how to control their stress and improve their coping. Therefore with a partial modification, psychosocial stress management can be useful for continual management of stress in student nurses.