Effects of online coping skills training on stress, anxiety and social problem solving in young people: A randomised controlled study

Abstract

Background: Although most young people successfully manage the transition from childhood to adulthood, the speed and magnitude of these changes can cause stress that can exceed the coping abilities of many young people. Previous studies have suggested that adolescence is a vulnerable period for the development of psychiatric disorders; therefore, an adequate coping repertoire must be developed. Aims: Our aims were to develop and implement a coping skills training for young people and to evaluate the results of the training. Therefore, the components of the coping skills training programs in the existing literature were used. Methods: Young people from Turkey participated in this cluster randomised controlled trial ( n = 89; mean age, 20.06 ± 1.44 years). Ten sessions of the coping skills training were applied in the study group (SG; n = 33), and one session was applied in the control group (CG; n = 56). To assess the effects of the coping skills training, all participants completed several psychological questionnaires (for stress, anxiety, coping and social problem-solving evaluations) at the beginning and end of the training. We performed an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). In cases where ANCOVA assumptions could not be met, the efficacy of the intervention was determined using the mixed design/split-plot analysis of variance. Results: Compared with the CG, the SG had significantly reduced stress and anxiety levels and increased adaptive coping skills. Social problem-solving skills remained relatively similar between the groups. Conclusion: Complete and correct implementation of coping skills training among the youth may contribute positively to the development of adaptive coping skills by reducing their stress and anxiety levels. This online coping skills training program allowed young people to directly experience their response to stress and offered opportunities to try and develop different coping strategies. Coping skills should be considered for successful stress and anxiety management in everyday life.