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Stress management and sexual health of young adults: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Author(s) -
Dimou P. A.,
Bacopoulou F.,
Darviri C.,
Chrousos G. P.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/and.12190
Subject(s) - locus of control , stress management , reproductive health , randomized controlled trial , life satisfaction , clinical psychology , psychology , medicine , developmental psychology , social psychology , population , surgery , environmental health
Summary Young people often experience excessive stress that definitely undermines their sexual life and leads them to adopt risky sexual behaviours. As such, the design and application of a stress management programme in this particular age group is, undoubtedly, a crucial matter. In this parallel randomised controlled trial, 60 psychology students of the P anteion U niversity of A thens, aged 18–20, were randomly assigned to undergo either an 8‐week stress management programme ( n = 30; diaphragmatic breathing–progressive muscle relaxation and guided imagery, twice a day) or not ( n = 30). Self‐reported validated measures were used to evaluate stress, stressful life events, health locus of control, general health status, sexual behaviours, sexual desire, satisfaction from sexual life and interpersonal relationships. Between‐group analyses revealed statistically significant differences in internal health locus of control and general health evaluation. Within the intervention group analyses showed reductions in BMI , stress, the ‘chance’ subscale of multidimensional health locus of control ( MHLC ) and greater satisfaction from sexual life. No other significant change was reported. We deem that our results should encourage relevant future studies.