An Evaluation of a Community-based Stress Management Pilot Program

An Evaluation of a Community-based Stress Management Pilot Program
Author: Molly Vetter-Smith
Publisher:
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2011
Genre: Electronic Dissertations
ISBN:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a University of Missouri Extension pilot program, Taking Care of You: Body-Mind-Spirit, in improving perceived stress and lifestyle behaviors compared to a strength training program. The pilot program included positive psychology research-based strategies with a strong focus on mindfulness. Participants of both programs completed surveys at baseline (time 0) (n = 477), immediately following (time 1) (n = 390) and three months following the programs (time 2) (n = 299). Surveys assessed participants' perceived stress levels and lifestyle behaviors. Too few tobacco users were identified for this outcome measure to be included in the analyses. Participants of both program groups showed significant improvements in stress levels and health promoting lifestyle behaviors from time 0 to time 1. However, improvements in health promoting lifestyle behaviors, with the exception of physical activity and social health behaviors, from time 0 to time 1 were significantly greater for the participants of the pilot program. The pilot program showed significantly greater improvements across all three timepoints and from time 0 to time 2 for all outcome measures with the exception of physical activity and social health behaviors. Participants of both programs significantly maintained improvements made as a result their program participation. This study adds to the limited amount research evaluating the effectiveness of stress management programs in improving health behaviors.

Mental Capital and Wellbeing

Mental Capital and Wellbeing
Author: Cary L. Cooper
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 1040
Release: 2009-08-18
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9781444307726

This major new reference presents The Foresight MentalCapital and Wellbeing Project (a UK Government project in theGovernment Office for Science). It offers a comprehensiveexploration of how mental capital and wellbeing operate over thelifespan; how experiences in the family, in school, at work andfollowing retirement augment or reduce mental capital andwellbeing, and the impact that this has for the individual and forthe welfare and economic progress of the nation. Mental Capital and Wellbeingcomprises a series ofscientific reviews written by leading international scientists andsocial scientists in the field. The reviews undertake systematicanalyses of the evidence base surrounding five key themes, on whichthey propose future policies will have to be based. Aninternationally renowned team of Editors introduce each theme anddraw together conclusions in terms of both policy andpractice. Section 1 (Mental Capital and Wellbeing Through Life)– Mental capital refers to the totality of anindividual’s cognitive and emotional resources, includingtheir cognitive capability, flexibility and efficiency of learning,emotional intelligence and resilience in the face of stress. Theextent of an individual’s resources reflects his or her basicendowment (e.g. genes and early biological programming), motivationand experiences (e.g. education) which take place throughout thelife course. This section presents the very latest on the scienceof mental capital throughout life. Section 2 (Learning Through Life) provides a coherentoverview of a fast-moving and complex field of policy and practice.Educational attainment has a considerable impact on physical andmental wellbeing, both directly and indirectly, by enabling peoplebetter to achieve their goals. The ability to continue learningthroughout the lifespan is critical to a successful and rewardinglife in contemporary societies. Section 3 (Mental Health and Ill-Health) draws together themost recent evidence about positive mental health as well as arange of mental disorders to consider their importance to thepopulation and economy in terms of prevalence and disability andthe wider burden on society. Section 4 (Wellbeing and Work) – It is estimated that13 million working days are lost through stress each year, costingthe economy over £3.7 billion per annum. This theme exploresthose drivers that influence the nature and structure of work andthe impact this has on employee wellbeing. Section 5 (Learning Difficulties) – This theme providesa cutting-edge picture of how recent insights from genetics,cognitive and neuroscience improve our understanding of learningdifficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia andattention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Reviews focus on howcurrent research can contribute to early diagnosis and improvedintervention.

Stress Management

Stress Management
Author: Wolfgang Linden
Publisher: SAGE
Total Pages: 233
Release: 2004-10-05
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1452238669

Praise for Stress Management "The author is correct in saying that the stress management field is a ′soft′ one, lacking a strong theoretical foundation, and therefore lacking good studies of efficacy and long term outcome. Certainly any publication that would improve on this situation is to be welcomed. . . . Strengths are the systematic approach to the topic. The attempt to ground scientifically the issue of stress management will appeal greatly to the more discerning student of clinical psychology and applied health psychology. It will provide a sufficiently academic approach to the topic that it will find acceptance in courses on the topic." -William R. Lovallo, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center & Director, Behavioral Sciences Laboratory, VA Medical Centers, Oklahoma City Most of the literature on stress management describes and evaluates individual stress responses but lacks a critical view of the scientific foundation of stress. In order to truly comprehend stress management, there needs to be clear understanding on the phenomenon that is "to be managed." Stress Management: From Basic Science to Better Practice examines documented pathways between stress and health and develops the scientific foundations for sound interventions. The book begins with a broad review of the term ′stress′ and its importance for health. The text then provides a critical examination of the elements of the stress process, extracts supporting research for a rationale of stress management and describes various stress management techniques and their effectiveness. In Stress Management, author and renowned stress researcher Wolfgang Linden reviews the literature on intervention outcomes, noting weaknesses that include an overemphasis on individual rather than societal responsibility for stress and coping and disregard of the emerging field of positive psychology. The author concludes the text with a proposed distinction between psychotherapy and stress management, and he proposes the need for three distinguishable subtypes of stress management programs-a systematic-preventative approach; a broad-based stress vaccination and prevention type of protocol; and a reactive, problem-solving type of stress reduction intervention. Key Features Begins with a firm groundwork in defining stress and examining conceptual models of stress to set the stage for rational, science-based thinking on how to manage it Introduces a unique three-step process model for stress management Considers physiological and sociocultural influences on stress and health Offers an objective analysis of existing literature and includes extensive personal, clinical experiences of the author to make the science of stress come alive for the reader Includes coverage of positive psychology and how the creation of social support and positive emotional states can ease experiences with stress Stress Management is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, such as Stress Management, Stress & Coping, Stress & Health, and Stress & Wellness, in the fields of Psychology and Health. The book is also a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians within the behavioral sciences interested in understanding and alleviating stress.