Effect of Self-Reliance Training on Stress and Coping Among First Year B.sc Nursing Students

Abstract

This study examines the impact of Self-Reliance Training on stress and coping abilities among first year B.Sc. Nursing students in a specific nursing college in Central Kerala, South India. The  objectives include evaluating stress and coping levels, assessing the training's effect on these levels,  and exploring the relationship between stress, coping, and sociodemographic factors. Employing a  pre-experimental one-group pretest-post-test design, the study focuses on first-year B.Sc. Nursing  students meeting inclusion criteria. A total of 50 participants were purposively sampled. The pretest  involved administering a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic variables, along with  the Perceived Stress Scale and Brief-COPE scale. Following a 6-day Self-Reliance Training, a post test was conducted after one month. Statistical analysis revealed that most participants experienced  moderate stress (72%), with 24% experiencing high stress and 4% reporting low stress levels.  Regarding coping mechanisms, 82% exhibited moderate coping, while 18% displayed high coping.  Post-test results indicated a significant decrease in stress levels (6.0±8.0) compared to pre-test levels  (23.50±13.25), with a highly significant reduction observed (p=0.0001, p<0.05). Additionally, post test coping levels (91.56) surpassed pre-test levels (76.76), with a highly significant improvement  noted (p=0.0001, p<0.05). These findings underscore the effectiveness of Self-Reliance Training in  reducing stress and enhancing coping abilities among the participants. Furthermore, a statistically  significant association was identified between age and stress levels (p=0.019, p<0.05).