Mental Health in School

Mental Health in School

Reducing Academic Stress: An Action Research Study

Document Type : action research

Author
Educational Psychology Allameh Tabataba i university Tehran Iran
10.22034/jmhs.2025.533876.1147
Abstract
This research was conducted with the aim of reducing one of the female student's academic stress in second-grade elementary using a descriptive action-research method during the 2023-2024 academic year in Tehran. Symptoms of stress, including sweating, voice and body tremors, tics, and gastrointestinal problems, were frequently observed at home and school by parents and school officials. To collect research data, tools such as observation, interviews, and the Academic Stress Symptoms Checklist (Hasan Abadi & Ahmadian Nasab, 2019) were utilized. The researcher, using the existing scientific and practical background, designed and implemented interventions based on cognitive-behavioral techniques and family awareness for 3 academic weeks in class hours & after school, through regular conversations with students & parents, following coordination with to elementary school principal to reduce academic stress. The mentioned interventions include drama therapy, narrative therapy, correcting cognitive bias & humor in cognitive approach, Breathing, stretching, and relaxation in the behavioral domain, The elimination of familial and friendly competition and the correction of perfectionism within the family context. Additionally, creating a pleasing classroom environment through the use of floral mists and incense with preferred scents of the students. After the interventions, observation, interviews, and the Academic Stress Symptoms Checklist conducted. The coefficient of improvement (Shabani, 2016) was measured.That showed reduction in academic stress. The quantitative & qualitative results of the research indicated that the implementation of interventions was effective and led to a reduction in the level of academic stress among students. Therefore, academic stress can be improved through psychological interventions.
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