Effectiveness of Stress Management Program for New Conscripts on Perceived Stress and Stress Management Behaviors among New Thai Conscripts in Bangkok: A Quasi-Experimental Study
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Abstract
Introduction: New conscripts are high-risk group for stress, which leads to depression and suicide. Therefore, we developed a stress management program for new conscripts based on Lazarus and Folkman’s stress management theory, combined with cognitive behavioral therapy, resilience training, dance therapy, breathing exercises, and physical activity. Objective: To evaluate the program’s effectiveness in reducing perceived stress and improving stress management behaviors among new conscripts. Materials and Method: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among new conscripts in 2 military training units in Bangkok, who were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=119) and comparison groups (n=117). The experimental group received the program for 4 weeks. Data were collected using questionnaires at 2 times (pre-test and after program post-test). Results: After intervention and the application of the inclusion–exclusion criteria, 71 participants in the experimental group and 69 in the comparison group remained. The experimental group showed a significant reduction in perceived stress (p < .001), along with significant improvements in overall stress-management behaviors and emotion-focused coping (p = .014 and .007, respectively), compared with baseline. Postintervention comparisons between groups indicated that experimental group had significantly lower perceived stress (p < .001), although their stress-management behaviors (overall and by sub-dimension) were not significantly higher than those of the comparison group. In addition, the program demonstrated 73.5% effectiveness in preventing high levels of perceived stress. Conclusion: This stress-management program demonstrated strong effectiveness in reducing perceived stress among new conscripts. However, the program should be refined prior to implementation to enhance comprehensive stress-management behaviors, particularly, problem-focused coping, which is a more sustainable form of stress management.
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