Improving School Adjustment and Academic Stress Management with Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy

In the quest to enhance educational outcomes, it is crucial to focus on both academic performance and the well-being of students. Recent research titled "School-based intervention for academic stress management and school adjustment among industrial technical education students: Implications for educational administrators" provides valuable insights into managing academic stress and improving school adjustment through Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT).The study conducted by Ogakwu et al. (2023) involved 97 industrial technical education students who were subjected to a pretest-posttest control group design. The participants were divided into two groups: one received REBT treatment, and the other was a waitlisted control group. The results indicated a significant improvement in academic stress management and school adjustment among students who underwent REBT.### Key Findings:1. **Reduction in Academic Stress**: Students who participated in REBT sessions showed a marked decrease in academic stress levels. This was measured using the Academic Stress Scale (ASS), and the improvement was sustained at follow-up assessments.2. **Improvement in School Adjustment**: The Academic Adjustment Scale (AAS) revealed that students who received REBT had better school adjustment compared to those in the control group. This improvement was also consistent at follow-up.3. **No Gender Interaction Effect**: The study found no significant interaction effect between gender and the groups, indicating that REBT was equally effective for both male and female students.### Practical Implications for Practitioners:#### 1. Implement REBT in School Counseling Programs:- **Therapeutic Techniques**: Incorporate REBT techniques such as problem-solving skills, cognitive restructuring, and coping self-statements into regular counseling sessions.- **Training for Counselors**: Provide training for school counselors in REBT to equip them with the necessary skills to address academic stress and adjustment issues effectively.#### 2. Create Supportive School Environments:- **Psycho-educational Programs**: Develop and implement psycho-educational programs that focus on stress management and school adjustment. These programs can include workshops, group therapy sessions, and individual counseling.- **Monitoring and Follow-up**: Regularly monitor students' progress and provide follow-up sessions to ensure the sustainability of the improvements achieved through REBT.#### 3. Encourage Further Research:- **Broader Studies**: Conduct further research to explore the effectiveness of REBT across different educational settings and populations.- **Long-term Impact**: Investigate the long-term impact of REBT on academic performance and overall well-being to establish its efficacy as a sustainable intervention.### Conclusion:The study by Ogakwu et al. (2023) highlights the effectiveness of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy in reducing academic stress and improving school adjustment among industrial technical education students. By integrating REBT into school counseling programs and creating supportive environments, practitioners can significantly enhance students' academic and emotional well-being.To read the original research paper, please follow this link: School-based intervention for academic stress management and school adjustment among industrial technical education students: Implications for educational administrators.