TY - JOUR T1 - Changes in stress and coping from a randomized controlled trial of a three-month stress management intervention JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2009/3VL - 35 IS - 2 SP - 145 EP - 152 AU - Willert, Morten Vejs AU - Thulstrup, Ane Marie AU - Hertz, Janne AU - Bonde, Jens Peter M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.1313 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1313 KW - brief COPE KW - change KW - cognitive behaviour therapy KW - coping KW - follow-up KW - group treatment KW - intervention KW - Perceived Stress Scale KW - positive reframing KW - PSS-10 KW - randomized controlled trial KW - stress KW - stress management KW - stress management intervention KW - wait list control N2 - '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'To investigate whether a group-based stress management intervention, based on principles from cognitive behaviour therapy, can reduce stress and alter coping strategies in an occupationally diverse population with extensive symptoms of work-related stress.

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METHODS ': 'Using a randomized wait list control design, 102 participants were divided into two groups: intervention and wait list control (WLC). The intervention was a three-month group-based stress management program. Outcomes measures were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10, range 0–40 points) and five dimensions from the Brief COPE questionnaire (range 2–8 points) at baseline and three-, six- and nine-months follow-up. Data were analyzed with a univariate analysis of variance.

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RESULTS ': 'On the PSS-10 from baseline to three months, the intervention group changed -6.45 (95% CI -8.25–-4.64) points, compared to -1.12 (95% CI -2.94–0.70) points in the WLC group. The between-groups difference was -5.32 (95% CI -7.89–-2.76) points, equalling a standardized mean difference of -0.84 (95% CI -1.27–-0.42) favouring the intervention. One coping dimension, positive reframing, differed between the two groups. Here the intervention group changed -0.86 (95% CI -1.25–-0.48) points from baseline to three months, compared to -0.18 (-0.58–0.22) points in the WLC-group. We found a between-groups difference of -0.67 (95% CI -1.24–-0.11) points, equalling a standardized mean difference of -0.48 (95% CI -0.89–-0.07) favouring the intervention. The gains achieved during treatment were maintained when followed up three months later.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'Treatment is superior to the control condition in positively affecting perceived stress and positive reframing. When followed up, the gains achieved are maintained.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -