The Effect of a Stress Coping Training Program for University Students

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.