Effectiveness and Mechanisms of Change of Mindfulness and Relaxation Training Delivered in a High School

Effectiveness and Mechanisms of Change of Mindfulness and Relaxation Training Delivered in a High School
Author: Lana Tenaglia
Publisher:
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2020
Genre:
ISBN:

This study addresses the lack of research on the effectiveness of two major treatments for an adolescent sample. Both mindfulness and relaxation training are two major interventions that can be utilized to improve symptomology for aggression, disruptive behavior, anxiety, depression, perceived stress, as well as for the improvement of self-concept and academic performance. The focus of this study is to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness and relaxation training in a non-clinical sample of adolescents. It was hypothesized that the participants in the mindfulness group would have greater decreased levels in all facets assigned with the exception of self-concept and academic performance which would increase than the relaxation training and control groups. The participants in the relaxation training group were hypothesized to have a greater change than the control group. The present study also aimed to assess whether the underlying mechanisms of mindfulness and relaxation training were cognitive and physiological, respectively. Participants were student volunteers from general education classes at a public high school. They were randomly assigned to a mindfulness treatment, relaxation training, or inactive control group. Participants were given outcome measurements pre- and post-treatment to evaluate the impact of these interventions on anxiety, disruptive behavior, depression, stress, and self-concept. The participants in the treatment groups were also given measures to assess the underlying mechanisms of both mindfulness and relaxation training. At two-month follow-up they were asked if their academic performance had improved since beginning the study, but the follow-up was ultimately dropped due to low sample size. The results yielded no significant difference between relaxation training, mindfulness, and the inactive control for depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behavior, stress, and self-concept. Further, the results yielded no significant difference in the underlying mechanisms of mindfulness of relaxation training. Although the current study yielded no significant results, this study emphasizes the importance of utilizing effective treatments and the implementation of brief treatments for adolescents.

Effects of Relaxation Training on the Anxiety Level of Culturally Disadvantaged Adolescents

Effects of Relaxation Training on the Anxiety Level of Culturally Disadvantaged Adolescents
Author: Verlynn E. Williams
Publisher:
Total Pages: 158
Release: 2005
Genre: Anxiety disorders
ISBN: 9781109903263

This study specifically examined the efficacy of relaxation training in significantly reducing the indices of psychological, behavioral, and physiological distress as they relate to anxiety. Also investigated were differential effects of relaxation as a function of both age and gender. Primary outcome variables were aggression, anxiety, impulsivity, hyperactivity, anxiety-related worry, short-term memory, attention span, and physiological indicators of stress. Forty highly anxious adolescents, ages 12--16, were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control condition. Experimental subjects received fifteen 30-minute sessions of relaxation training over an eight week period. The control group did not receive treatment but did participate in pre-test and post-test evaluation. Data analysis at the .05 level or better revealed statistically significant differences between these groups in all primary areas with effect sizes being generally large. However, these findings did not support the influence of the variables age and gender on predicting treatment response. The results of this investigation demonstrated the utility of relaxation training in treating anxiety disorder in youths and the concomitants generally associated with it, irrespective of either age or gender.

Mind-body and Relaxation Research Focus

Mind-body and Relaxation Research Focus
Author: Bernardo N. De Luca
Publisher: Nova Publishers
Total Pages: 266
Release: 2008
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 9781600218194

Mind-Body and relaxation research emphasise mind-body interactions with intended benefits that include relaxation and emotional well being. Mind-body and relaxation therapies have been shown to be effective in many cases of chronic conditions, rehabilitation, stress reduction, increasing immunity, reduction of muscular system tension, lowering blood pressure, arthritis and increasing mental well-being. This new book presents recent and significant research in the field.

Evidence-Based School Counseling

Evidence-Based School Counseling
Author: Carey Dimmitt
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 481
Release: 2007-06-28
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1412948894

This authoritative guidebook gives school counselors the tools to identify evidence-based practices and to use data in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and interventions.