The effect of progressive muscle relaxation on stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents: A quasi-experimental design

Background: Mental problems that may lead to many adverse health outcomes are increasing among adolescents. Interventions are needed to prevent mental problems in adolescents. Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression levels in adolescents. Design and methods: A quasi-experimental design was performed. The study population consisted of 12th-grade students studying in two high schools in Turkiye. Adolescents were allocated to intervention and control groups in a ratio of 1:2, considering their preferences. A total of 88 students (interventio n = 31; control = 57) completed the study. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) were used to collect the data. Online progressive muscle relaxation was implemented in the intervention group over eight weeks. Results: There was a statistically signi ficant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding stress, anxiety, and depression pre-test mean scores. The correction of DASS-42 pre-test mean scores was performed by covariance analysis. There was a statistically signi ficant difference in the post-test stress, anxiety, and depression mean scores of the adolescents in the intervention group according to the corrected DASS-42 pre-test mean scores. Conclusion: The study concluded that progressive muscle relaxation reduced stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents. Practice implications: School nurses could implement progressive muscle relaxation to support adolescents in managing stress, anxiety, and depression. (c) 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.