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Multimodal stress management training for students to reduce stress and exam anxiety

Adolescence is characterised by profound changes. This involves physical and cognitive changes as well as a "social redefinition" in the sense of the gradual dissolution of the perception of being an underage child in favour of the perception of a young adult who is becoming more independent and setting themselves apart within society. This is also accompanied by changes that affect status in the family and in society, combined with privileges and at the same time duties that place new demands on the young person's self-organisation. At the same time, the demands placed on young people at school increase, as examinations (final examinations) and career choices as "initiation processes of growing up" take place during this time. These changes are very stressful for young people, especially in light of the current social processes of the Covid-19 pandemic and the crisis situation in Ukraine.

In this pilot study, we investigated the influence of a modular, multimodal stress management training programme on the perception of stress, test anxiety and self-efficacy expectations of secondary school students. The training, which is specially adapted to the adolescents' world of experience, integrates experiential learning, cognitive and instrumental stress management as well as physical activities such as yoga and meditative exercises. The aim was to promote the emotional competence, compassion and mindfulness of the participants and to reduce exam anxiety. The programme can be embedded in everyday lessons as a club or as a differentiation subject, is not graded and is noted as participation on the report card. The pilot study offered the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of this multimodal approach and thus to achieve a positive impact on the well-being of the students.