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Study without Stress program

Macquarie University

The Study without Stress program is a scientifically developed and demonstrated, structured program to help senior secondary students manage academic stress. The program is suitable to help students experiencing high levels of stress as well as a universal program to prevent excessive stress.

  • Online
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • QLD
  • SA
  • Tas
  • Vic
  • WA

Pricing: Paid

Origin: Developed in Australia for Australian schooling contexts

Affiliations: Approved elsewhere: VIC

Product type: Program; Activity sheets; Student activities; External support services; Learning modules

Contact details

Macquarie University
ABN: 90 952 801 237

https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/centres/lifespan-health-and-wellbeing/emotional-health-clinic/treatment-programs-for-children-and-teens/study-without-stress

ehc.admin@mq.edu.au

Focus areas

  • Mental health literacy and life skills

  • Self-regulation and engagement

Curriculum alignment

Prospective users

Audience: Whole class universal (Tier 1), Targeted small group early intervention (Tier 2), Intensive individualised approach (Tier 3)

Context: School or centre-based

Main beneficiaries: Year 11, Year 12

Delivery style: Classroom teacher is trained

Aims & approach

The Study without Stress program is a stress management program for senior school students. It can be delivered by trained teachers and school staff or by a trained allied health professional in an external service. Training and access to the program is via Macquarie University.

The program involves 6-8 sessions that teach senior students a range of practical skills and strategies to help manage academic stress related to senior school studies. Within the school setting, sessions can be delivered to students either in small groups, individually or to pastoral care or similar groups. In the clinic setting, the program can be delivered in small groups or individually. All skills covered within the program are supported by detailed workbooks for students, and a detailed facilitator manual guides staff how to deliver the program.

Implementation support

  • Implementation training webinars or modules

Evidence

The program is skills-based and aligns with cognitive behavioural therapy. It is based on scientific theories of the origins and maintenance of heightened stress and anxiety. The positive impact of the program is supported by several extensive reviews and evaluations.

References include:

Jagiello, T., Belcher, J., Neelakandan, A., Boyd, K., & Wuthrich, V.M. (in press, accepted 8th January, 2024). Academic Stress Interventions in High Schools: A Systematic Literature Review, Child Psychiatry & Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578...

Jagiello, T., Wuthrich, V.M., & Ellis, L.A (2022). Implementation Trial of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program for Reducing Student Stress in the Final Year of Secondary School, British Journal of Educational Psychology, 92, 502-517. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.1...

Lowe, C., & Wuthrich, V.M., (2021). Randomised controlled trial of Study Without Stress: a cognitive behavioural therapy program to reduce stress in students in the final year of high school, Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 52(2), 205-216. http://link.springer.com/artic...