Evaluation of a stress management course in adult education centres in rural Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether attending a six-week stress management course in a rural adult education centre is effective in reducing participants' levels of stress, anxiety and depression.


METHODS
Repeated measures design using self-report measures of stress, anxiety and depression at commencement and completion of a six-week stress management course, and six months post-completion follow up.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-two adults (age range 18-73 years) living in a rural community who self-enrolled in the stress management course at adult education centres.


METHODS
The course consisted of six weekly group sessions. Each two-hour session conducted by mental health professionals, included teaching cognitive behavioural strategies targeted at reducing individual symptoms of stress.


METHODS
Comparative analysis of pre- and post-test and six-month follow up on measures of stress (Stress Symptom Checklist), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).


RESULTS
RESULTS indicated a significant reduction in stress symptoms (F(7,90) = 34.92, P < 0.001), anxiety and depression (F(3,95) = 87.92, P < 0.001) from course commencement to course completion. These improvements were sustained six months after course completion for stress symptoms (F(11,65) = 22.40, P < 0.001), anxiety and depression (F(5,73) = 41.78, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings demonstrate the stress management course is an effective community intervention in a rural community. Challenges for future implementation of the program are discussed.
Hawkins
Kate M
KM
Primary Mental Health Team, South West Healthcare, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia. jamesandkate@exemail.com.au
Reddy
Prasuna
P
Bunker
Steve
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology