Nature-based mind-body intervention for test anxiety in adolescents: a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Adolescent Mental Health
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Traditional test anxiety interventions face challenges with stigmatization and professionalization in educational settings.
• Nature-based interventions (NBIs) offer a promising, accepted, and cost-effective alternative for mental health support.
• Adolescents experience significant test anxiety impacting their academic well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of a novel nature-based mind-body intervention (NMI) for reducing test anxiety in adolescents.
• To integrate principles of NBIs with mind-body therapies (MBTs) into a cohesive intervention model.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a nature-based mind-body intervention (NMI) tailored for adolescents.
• Evaluation of NMI's impact on test anxiety, academic stress, general anxiety, and depression symptoms.

Main Results:

• The NMI significantly reduced levels of test anxiety and academic stress among adolescent participants.
• Participants reported alleviation of general anxiety and depression symptoms following the intervention.
• The intervention demonstrated feasibility as a low-stigma, cost-effective strategy.

Conclusions:

• Nature-based mind-body interventions present a viable and effective approach to managing adolescent test anxiety.
• This strategy holds potential for improving mental health outcomes in educational contexts and broadening access in developing countries.
• Findings offer valuable insights for mental health policy and educational program development.