Background/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether differing stress reduction interventions could alter stress levels experienced by male and female college students from the beginning to the end of a semester. Components of stress examined included overall perceived stress, test anxiety, and personal burnout.
Method: Male and female participants (N = 531) were part of courses that during the course of a 16 week semester focused specifically on either cognitive-behavioral stress management, cardiovascular fitness, generalized physical activity, or a control with no intervention. Measurements occurred at the beginning and end of the semester. Overall perceived stress was measured via the Perceived Stress Scale and test anxiety was measured using a modified version of the Sport Competitive Anxiety Test. The Coach's Burnout Scale was modified to assess personal burnout.
Analysis/Results: Females perceived greater stress, experienced higher test anxiety, and noticed more extensive burnout than their male counterparts. Both the stress management and physical activity groups had significantly lower levels of perceived stress, test anxiety, and personal burnout at the end of the semester. The fitness group scored significantly lower on perceived stress and personal burnout, but there was no difference in scores for test anxiety. There was no difference in scores for test anxiety and personal burnout for the control group, but they reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress at the end of the semester.
Conclusions: The important ramifications of reducing stress in college students are discussed and include the pros and cons of implementing differing modalities.