StressSCTPNCT07454109
The Effect of a Stress Coping Training Program for University Students
A study testing Structured Stress Coping Training Program in people with Stress, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled study examines the effects of a structured stress coping training program on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience, and burnout among university students. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Stress
- What is being tested?
- Structured Stress Coping Training Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Oct 2024to 1 Mar 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being enrolled as a student at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Aged between 18 and 25 years
- Being a full-time student (not engaged in regular employment)
- No self-reported psychiatric diagnosis
- Providing written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Having a condition that prevents participation in a 12-week training program
- Having visual or hearing impairments that may affect completion of assessments
- Currently receiving structured psychological or psychiatric treatment related to stress management
- Working in a regular job alongside academic education
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of a Stress Coping Training Program for University Students on Cognitive Flexibility, Perceived Stress, Psychological Resilience, and Burnout
This randomized controlled study examines the effects of a structured stress coping training program on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience, and burnout among university students. The research is conducted at the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Gülhane Faculty of Health Sciences. A total of 64 students aged between 18 and 25 who meet the inclusion criteria participate in the study. Students in the experimental group attend a 12-week stress coping training program consisting of one-hour weekly sessions, while the control group participates only in the assessment procedures.
Data are collected face-to-face before and after the intervention using a demographic information form, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Resilience Scale for Adults, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form. Statistical analyses are performed using SPSS 28.0, with parametric or non-parametric tests applied according to data distribution. Effect sizes are calculated using Cohen's d.
The findings contribute to the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of structured stress management programs in improving psychological well-being among university students and provide implications for preventive interventions within higher education settings.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled study investigates the effectiveness of a structured stress coping training program on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience, and burnout among university students. University students are frequently exposed to academic demands, performance pressure, time constraints, and role-related challenges, which may negatively affect their psychological well-being. Structured psychoeducational interventions aimed at enhancing adaptive coping strategies may contribute to improved emotional regulation, cognitive adaptability, and overall resilience. Within this context, the present study evaluates the impact of a 12-week stress coping program grounded in cognitive-behavioral and skills-based approaches.
The research is conducted at the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Gülhane Faculty of Health Sciences. A total of 64 healthy university students aged between 18 and 25 years who meet the inclusion criteria participate in the study. Participants are assigned to either an experimental group (n=32) or a control group (n=32). The experimental group receives a structured stress coping training program consisting of weekly one-hour sessions over 12 weeks, delivered by an expert academician in the field. The program includes modules on stress awareness, identification of stressors, stages of stress, personality characteristics and stress, physiological and psychological responses to stress, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, time management, problem-solving strategies, cognitive restructuring techniques, mental regulation methods, and relapse prevention. The control group does not receive the intervention during the study period but completes the same assessment procedures.
Data are collected face-to-face before and after the intervention using a Demographic Information Form, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Resilience Scale for Adults, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form. Descriptive statistics summarize participant characteristics. Normality of the data is examined using skewness-kurtosis values, Shapiro-Wilk tests, and histogram distributions. Between-group and within-group comparisons are analyzed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric statistical tests. Effect sizes are calculated using Cohen's d, and statistical significance is set at p < 0.05.
This study contributes empirical evidence regarding the role of structured stress coping interventions in enhancing adaptive psychological processes among university students. The findings provide implications for preventive mental health strategies and support the integration of structured stress management programs into higher education settings.
- Conditions
- Stress
- Being tested
- Structured Stress Coping Training Program
- Keywords
- Stress coping trainin, Perceived stress, Cognitive flexibility, Psychological resilience, Burnout, University students
- Medical subject headings
- Burnout, Psychological
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Structured Stress Coping Training ProgramBehavioural
The Structured Stress Coping Training Program is a 12-week face-to-face psychoeducational intervention delivered in weekly 1-hour sessions. The program is based on cognitive-behavioral and skills-based approaches and aims to enhance adaptive coping strategies among university students. The content includes stress awareness and identification of stressors, stages of stress, personality characteristics and stress, physiological and psychological responses to stress, breathing techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness-based attention to the present moment, time management strategies, problem-solving skills, cognitive restructuring techniques, mental regulation strategies, and relapse prevention. The program is delivered by an expert academician in the field.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Stress Coping Training Group | Experimental | Participants receive a structured 12-week stress coping training program consisting of weekly 1-hour sessions delivered face-to-face by an expert academician. The program includes stress awareness, identification of stressors, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, time management, problem-solving techniques, mental regulation strategies, and relapse prevention. Assessments are conducted before and after the intervention. Receives: Behavioral: Structured Stress Coping Training Program |
| Control Group (No Intervention) | No intervention | Control Group (No Intervention) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Perceived Stress Level
Perceived stress is measured using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). The scale consists of 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0-4). Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived stress.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Cognitive Flexibility Level
Cognitive flexibility is assessed using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), a 20-item 5-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate greater cognitive flexibility.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Psychological Resilience Level
Psychological resilience is measured using the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), a 33-item scale assessing personal and social resilience dimensions. Higher scores indicate higher resilience.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Burnout Level
Burnout is assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form (MBI-SS), consisting of 13 items across three dimensions. Higher scores indicate higher burnout levels.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Mar 2026
- Study start1 Oct 2024
- Primary completion1 May 2025
- Study completion1 Mar 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for StressStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hacettepe UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Medine Nur Özata Değerli, Hacettepe University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07454109
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-68552689-000-00003545296
- Acronym
- SCTP
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 6 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Eaves JL, Payne N. Resilience, stress and burnout in student midwives. Nurse Educ Today. 2019 Aug;79:188-193. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.05.012. Epub 2019 May 14.
PubMed 31153089Kalia V, Knauft K. Emotion regulation strategies modulate the effect of adverse childhood experiences on perceived chronic stress with implications for cognitive flexibility. PLoS One. 2020 Jun 26;15(6):e0235412. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235412. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 32589644Milojevich HM, Lukowski AF. Sleep and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students with Generally Healthy Sleep Habits. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 9;11(6):e0156372. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156372. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 27280714Karaman MA, Lerma E, Vela JC, Watson JC. Predictors of academic stress among college students. Journal of College Counseling. 2019;22(1):41-55.
Aspelmeier JE, Love MM, McGill LA, Elliott AN, Pierce TW. Self-esteem, locus of control, college adjustment, and GPA among first-and continuing-generation students: A moderator model of generational status. Research in Higher Education. 2012;53:755-81.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of a Stress Coping Training Program for University Students on Cognitive Flexibility, Perceived Stress, Psychological Resilience, and Burnout
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07454109
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SCTP / E-68552689-000-00003545296
- Conditions
- Stress
- Keywords
- Stress coping trainin, Perceived stress, Cognitive flexibility, Psychological resilience, Burnout, University students
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 May 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This randomized controlled study examines the effects of a structured stress coping training program on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience, and burnout among university students. The research is conducted at the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Gülhane Faculty of Health Sciences. A total of 64 students aged between 18 and 25 who meet the inclusion criteria participate in the study. Students in the experimental group attend a 12-week stress coping training program consisting of one-hour weekly sessions, while the control group participates only in the assessment procedures.
Data are collected face-to-face before and after the intervention using a demographic information form, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Resilience Scale for Adults, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form. Statistical analyses are performed using SPSS 28.0, with parametric or non-parametric tests applied according to data distribution. Effect sizes are calculated using Cohen's d.
The findings contribute to the evidence base regarding the effectiveness of structured stress management programs in improving psychological well-being among university students and provide implications for preventive interventions within higher education settings.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled study investigates the effectiveness of a structured stress coping training program on perceived stress, cognitive flexibility, psychological resilience, and burnout among university students. University students are frequently exposed to academic demands, performance pressure, time constraints, and role-related challenges, which may negatively affect their psychological well-being. Structured psychoeducational interventions aimed at enhancing adaptive coping strategies may contribute to improved emotional regulation, cognitive adaptability, and overall resilience. Within this context, the present study evaluates the impact of a 12-week stress coping program grounded in cognitive-behavioral and skills-based approaches.
The research is conducted at the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, and the Department of Occupational Therapy, Gülhane Faculty of Health Sciences. A total of 64 healthy university students aged between 18 and 25 years who meet the inclusion criteria participate in the study. Participants are assigned to either an experimental group (n=32) or a control group (n=32). The experimental group receives a structured stress coping training program consisting of weekly one-hour sessions over 12 weeks, delivered by an expert academician in the field. The program includes modules on stress awareness, identification of stressors, stages of stress, personality characteristics and stress, physiological and psychological responses to stress, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, time management, problem-solving strategies, cognitive restructuring techniques, mental regulation methods, and relapse prevention. The control group does not receive the intervention during the study period but completes the same assessment procedures.
Data are collected face-to-face before and after the intervention using a Demographic Information Form, the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale-10, the Resilience Scale for Adults, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form. Descriptive statistics summarize participant characteristics. Normality of the data is examined using skewness-kurtosis values, Shapiro-Wilk tests, and histogram distributions. Between-group and within-group comparisons are analyzed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric statistical tests. Effect sizes are calculated using Cohen's d, and statistical significance is set at p < 0.05.
This study contributes empirical evidence regarding the role of structured stress coping interventions in enhancing adaptive psychological processes among university students. The findings provide implications for preventive mental health strategies and support the integration of structured stress management programs into higher education settings.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Stress Coping Training Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Structured Stress Coping Training ProgramParticipants receive a structured 12-week stress coping training program consisting of weekly 1-hour sessions delivered face-to-face by an expert academician. The program includes stress awareness, identification of stressors, breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, cognitive restructuring, time management, problem-solving techniques, mental regulation strategies, and relapse prevention. Assessments are conducted before and after the intervention. |
| Control Group (No Intervention) | No intervention | –Control Group (No Intervention) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Being enrolled as a student at the Faculty of Health Sciences
- Aged between 18 and 25 years
- Being a full-time student (not engaged in regular employment)
- No self-reported psychiatric diagnosis
- Providing written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Having a condition that prevents participation in a 12-week training program
- Having visual or hearing impairments that may affect completion of assessments
- Currently receiving structured psychological or psychiatric treatment related to stress management
- Working in a regular job alongside academic education
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Stress Coping Training ProgramThe Structured Stress Coping Training Program is a 12-week face-to-face psychoeducational intervention delivered in weekly 1-hour sessions. The program is based on cognitive-behavioral and skills-based approaches and aims to enhance adaptive coping strategies among university students. The content includes stress awareness and identification of stressors, stages of stress, personality characteristics and stress, physiological and psychological responses to stress, breathing techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness-based attention to the present moment, time management strategies, problem-solving skills, cognitive restructuring techniques, mental regulation strategies, and relapse prevention. The program is delivered by an expert academician in the field. | Behavioural | Stress Coping Training Group |
Primary outcome
Perceived Stress Level
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Perceived stress is measured using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). The scale consists of 10 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0-4). Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived stress.
Cognitive Flexibility Level
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Cognitive flexibility is assessed using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI), a 20-item 5-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate greater cognitive flexibility.
Psychological Resilience Level
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Psychological resilience is measured using the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), a 33-item scale assessing personal and social resilience dimensions. Higher scores indicate higher resilience.
Burnout Level
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Burnout is assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Form (MBI-SS), consisting of 13 items across three dimensions. Higher scores indicate higher burnout levels.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 31153089Eaves JL, Payne N. Resilience, stress and burnout in student midwives. Nurse Educ Today. 2019 Aug;79:188-193. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.05.012. Epub 2019 May 14.
- Background: PubMed 32589644Kalia V, Knauft K. Emotion regulation strategies modulate the effect of adverse childhood experiences on perceived chronic stress with implications for cognitive flexibility. PLoS One. 2020 Jun 26;15(6):e0235412. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235412. eCollection 2020.
- Background: PubMed 27280714Milojevich HM, Lukowski AF. Sleep and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students with Generally Healthy Sleep Habits. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 9;11(6):e0156372. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156372. eCollection 2016.
- BackgroundKaraman MA, Lerma E, Vela JC, Watson JC. Predictors of academic stress among college students. Journal of College Counseling. 2019;22(1):41-55.
- BackgroundAspelmeier JE, Love MM, McGill LA, Elliott AN, Pierce TW. Self-esteem, locus of control, college adjustment, and GPA among first-and continuing-generation students: A moderator model of generational status. Research in Higher Education. 2012;53:755-81.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Structured Stress Coping Training Program in people with Stress, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Perceived Stress Level (time frame: Baseline and Week 12). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07454109, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Mar 2026.