CBT-Based Stress Management Program for Healthcare Students

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral-based stress management skills program for healthcare students. The study will use a mixed-methods design and will include intervention, placebo, and control groups. Approximately 90 healthcare students will participate in the experimental phase. The intervention group will receive a 9-session cognitive-behavioral-based stress management program designed to help students recognize and manage stress, identify dysfunctional thoughts, and develop effective stress management and coping skills. The study will assess changes in perceived stress and coping skills before and after the program and at follow-up. Qualitative interviews and group discussions will also be conducted to explore students' experiences and perceptions of stress management and the program. It is hypothesized that students who participate in the stress management program will show improvements in perceived stress and coping skills compared with students in the placebo and control groups.

Inclusion Criteria: * Be an active student in an associate or undergraduate program at the university. * Be willing to participate in the study. * Be 18 years of age or older. * Have sufficient time to attend all sessions of the program. * Agree to complete the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up assessments. * Be able to read and write in Turkish. Exclusion Criteria: * Have a history of a psychiatric diagnosis (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorder). * Be currently receiving psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment. * Regularly use psychiatric medication (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, or anxiolytics). * Have participated in a similar stress management, mindfulness, or cognitive-behavioral-based training/program within the previous 6 months. * Be unable to attend the sessions regularly (e.g., due to prolonged absence or being away from the city). * Have a condition that interferes with communication (e.g., hearing, visual, or speech impairment). * Decline participation after randomization.