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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine 1/2010

01-03-2010

Worldwide Stress: Different Problems, Similar Solutions? Cultural Adaptation and Evaluation of a Standardized Stress Management Program in Hungary

Authors: Adrienne Stauder, Barna Konkolÿ Thege, Mónika Erika Kovács, Piroska Balog, Virginia P. Williams, Redford B. Williams

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

Chronic stress is an important risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality at the individual and societal level.

Purpose

Our aim was to describe the process of adapting and testing the effectiveness of a structured stress management skills training program in a culture different from the one in which it was first developed.

Method

We translated an internationally used standardized behavioral intervention program into Hungarian and adapted it for use in a Hungarian cultural setting. We evaluated the changes in stress level and stress-related symptom scores among distressed voluntary participants on the basis of self-reported questionnaires completed before, immediately after, and 4 to 6 months after the 12-h intervention. The following measures were included: PSS-10, STAI-T, BDI-S, PHQ-15, and WBI-5. For statistical analyses, paired sample t test and Cohen’s d value for effect size were used.

Results

In a sample of 107 distressed individuals, after the training, stress level, psychological and somatic symptoms decreased and well-being increased (p < 0.0001). These positive changes were maintained at follow-up in a subsample of 42 persons tested 4–6 months later.

Conclusion

These results confirm the long-term positive effects of this standardized behavioral intervention in a different cultural context and in real-world settings, which encourages further dissemination of the program in various community settings.
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Metadata
Title
Worldwide Stress: Different Problems, Similar Solutions? Cultural Adaptation and Evaluation of a Standardized Stress Management Program in Hungary
Authors
Adrienne Stauder
Barna Konkolÿ Thege
Mónika Erika Kovács
Piroska Balog
Virginia P. Williams
Redford B. Williams
Publication date
01-03-2010
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009-9054-4

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