The effect of relaxation education intervention on stress, anxiety, and depression in female teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asiyeh Pirzadeh, Zahra Abotalebi
Journal of Education and Health Promotion 2023 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1546_22 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Semi-experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 100 |
| Population | Female school teachers |
| Interventions | psychosomatic exercises diaphragmatic breathing meditation |
| Duration | 10 days after the intervention and 1 month following it |
| Measures | Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-42 items (DASS-42) |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Covid-19 Relaxation School teachers Stress disorders |
| Key findings | Among 100 female teachers, relaxation education based on the bioenergy economy model significantly reduced stress, anxiety, and depression scores 10 days after the intervention, with reductions maintained at 1-month follow-up, while the control group showed no significant change. Diaphragmatic breathing and meditation were practiced longer than other techniques, and the authors recommend teaching these short-term relaxation techniques to all school teachers. |
Abstract
The high levels of job stress, anxiety, and depression among teachers, which affect their job and quality of life, necessitate using methods to cope with these issues. The present study aimed to determine the effect of relaxation education intervention on stress, anxiety, and depression in female teachers in 2020. This research is semi-experimental. Herein, 100 female teachers were studied. Data collection was performed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-42 items (DASS-42) questionnaire that was completed three times by the teachers: before the intervention, 10 days after the intervention, and 1 month following it. Relaxation education intervention was conducted online and offline based on the bioenergy economy model and by doing psychosomatic exercises. The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed by the independent t-test, paired t-test, and R. M. analysis of variance (ANOVA). Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of stress (P = 0.385), anxiety (P = 0.168), and depression (P = 0.554) scores. The mean scores of stress, anxiety, and depression decreased significantly in the intervention group 10 days after the intervention; however, there was no significant change in the control group. The reduction in depression, stress, and anxiety remained constant in the intervention group during the 1-month follow-up. The results indicated that among the relaxation exercises, diaphragmatic breathing and meditation techniques were performed by the teachers for a longer period than other techniques. Results obtained suggested teaching short-term relaxation techniques as highly recommended to all school teachers. These techniques include diaphragmatic breathing and meditation. They can reduce their stress, anxiety, and depression, improve their mental health, and empower them to control their tensions and negative emotions.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- Positive Impact of Mindfulness Meditation on Mental Health of Female Teachers during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Italy International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 1, 2020
- The Effects of the Relaxation Response on Nurses' Level of Anxiety, Depression, Well-Being, Work-Related Stress, and Confidence to Teach Patients. Journal of Holistic Nursing December 2017