Stress Inoculation Training as a Preventative Intervention for High School Youths

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a school-based prevention intervention to reduce the incidence of negative emotional arousal and other psychological problems in adolescents in response to stress. The prevention program was modeled after a stress inoculation training program and included a variety of cognitive behavioral interventions (i.e., cognitive restructuring, problem solving, anxiety management training). Reductions on anxiety, depression, and anger self-report scales were noted after training, especially in youths who were classified as being high in emotional arousal, and these gains were maintained at follow-up. The waiting list control group showed similar improvements after they received training. Improvements in grade point average, school attendance, physical health problems, and self-reports of total, daily, and major negative stress events were not found, except for some within-group improvements at follow-up.