The Effects of Two Types of Relaxation Training on Students' Levels of Anxiety

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ABSTRACT

In the present study, high school students who received training in either behavioral relaxation or progressive muscle relaxation demonstrated significantly lower state anxiety scores than did those who had not received such training. No significant differences were found on trait anxiety scores. There was no significant effect of gender and also no significant interaction effects between the three groups and gender for either state or trait anxiety. Implications of these findings for high school counselors who work with students dealing with anxiety-producing problems are presented.

Findings from several studies (Hill & Sarason, 1966; Lunneburg, 1964; Sarason, 1975) have shown that high anxiety has adverse effects on student learning. Though anxiety may be an unavoidable part of life, May (1977) points out that it can be reduced, and several researchers have developed approaches to reduce anxiety. In the present study, two of these approaches, behavioral relaxation training (Schilling & Poppen, 1983) and progressive muscle relaxation …