Pythagorean Self-Awareness serves effectively for Stress Management on Freshmen

A quasi-experimental study

Authors

  • Bitchava Ioanna C. Doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology Postgraduate Course Stress Management and Health Promotion, Athens Kapodistrian National University Medical School Athens, Greece http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0327-8748
  • Angie-M. P. Paleologou Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Self-Lineation Special Laboratory, Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology (Section of Psychology), University of Ioannina, Greece
  • Chrousos George P., Prof. (Dr.) Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the Athens University Medical School, AthensCountry Greece
  • Artemios K. Artemiadis Medical Doctor (Neurologist) at 417 NIMTS Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • Darviri Christina, Prof. (Dr.) Professor of Prevention and Health Promotion, The Medical School of the Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5958/2347-6869.2017.00012.7

Keywords:

Freshmen, Stress, Pythagorean Self-Awareness, Stress-Management Techniques

Abstract

Adjustment to conditions surrounding the first year of studies in tertiary education can be highly stressful. Because of the pertinent challenges, University freshmen evidently run risks for developing mental and physical ailments probably undermining their entire wellbeing. Aims: This study evaluates effects of two preventive or/and corrective intervention methods dealing with their difficulties. Sample: Freshmen (N=60). Methods: In a parallel quasi-experimental design the above freshmen were randomly sub-grouped for attending to 8 consecutive weekly sessions of either Pythagorean Self-Awareness Intervention (PSAI) or Stress Management Techniques Intervention (SMTI). Several self-report measures were administered at pre- and post-intervention phases. Assessment included various factors: (a) psychological: stress, anxiety, depression, anger, emotionality, (b) physiological: Body-Mass-Index (BMI) via engaging in healthy habits, lifestyle, sleep, (c) basic cognitive: visuospatial memory, verbal learning and (d) complex mental: fatigue-vs-coherence, speed processing, self-efficacy. Results: Significant post-intervention improvements were noted for most dimensions, irrespective of group allocation. SMTI was superior to PSAI for reducing BMI and improving basic cognitive features, whereas PSAI was superior for improving psychological and complex mental processes. Conclusions: Results are encouraging to suggest these interventions be introduced in academic settings as effective meta-cognitive multifaceted procedures for stress management, to help students become more successful in their personal as well as academic lives.

Article DOI : 10.5958/2347-6869.2017.00012.7

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Pythagorean Self-Awareness serves effectively for Stress Management on Freshmen:  A quasi-experimental study

Published

25-08-2017

How to Cite

Ioanna C., B., Paleologou, A.-M. P., George P., C., Artemiadis, A. K., & Christina, D. (2017). Pythagorean Self-Awareness serves effectively for Stress Management on Freshmen: A quasi-experimental study. SOCRATES, 5(2), 15–37. https://doi.org/10.5958/2347-6869.2017.00012.7

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Psychology