Stress Prevention
Section of Translational Psychobiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry / Section for Experimental Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Study title
Research into the effectiveness of a new program for managing stress and burnout symptoms
Project description
Nearly one in ten young people suffers from high stress, with the majority of the burden being directly related to school. The school context is perceived as so stressful that symptoms such as school exhaustion, indifference in school matters and a reduced competence experience as a student are reported. These can be associated with depression and poorer performance in young people. As a result, withdrawal from the school environment can occur, even leading to dropping out of school. These symptoms are summarized under the umbrella term school burnout. How far-reaching the consequences of chronic stress can be, becomes clear not least in observations of the course of the disease. They show that the above-mentioned patterns of experience and behavior extend into early adulthood.
In the prevention of burnout symptoms in adults, behavioral therapy interventions have proven to be particularly effective. The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) according to S.C. Hayes belongs to the third wave of behavior therapy. The focus of ACT is on developing an accepting attitude and the orientation of one's own experience and actions towards self-chosen values. With regard to school-related stress, international studies have shown a positive influence of ACT. Within the framework of the new project, this type of stress prevention is now to be researched in the German-speaking world.
For this purpose, a new prevention program for dealing with stress will be examined for its effectiveness. The training comprises eight sessions. It is expected to have a positive influence on the subjective and physical level of stress caused by the training. A previous study of the work unit had shown that especially those young people who are already particularly stressed can benefit from training (indicated prevention). The aim of the project is to promote the youth's resources for successfully coping with stress in school and everyday life.
