Efficacy of Online CBT-based Psychoeducation for Stress Management in Fifth-year Medical Students at Khon Kaen University During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Keywords:
stress, online intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, medical studentAbstract
Background and Objective: Medical students experience high stress levels and often lack time to seek mental health support. Aim of study evaluates the efficacy of online cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducation for stress management among fifth-year medical students at Khon Kaen University during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: This quasi-experimental study with a parallel group and pre- and post-test design was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021. The participants were selected into two either the 4 sessions online CBT-based psychoeducation once a week for 4 weeks or the control group. After the initial 4 weeks, the control group received the intervention and subsequent outcome measurements were conducted. The severity of stress was assessed using PSS-10, while levels of mental health problems and resilience were assessed using the Thai GHQ-28 and 25-item CD-RISC. All outcomes were measured at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 12-week (T2) follow-up. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, median, and IQR. Group differences were assessed using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U test, whereas within-group differences across time points were analyzed with ANOVA and Bonferroni correction or the Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, depending on data distribution.
Results: A total of 21 students aged 22–24 years participated in the study. Participants were assigned to the intervention and control groups at a 4:1 ratio. After 4 weeks, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvements in the GHQ-28 total score and social dysfunction subscale, as well as in the CD-RISC-25 total score and the personal competence/tolerance of negative affect subscale (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the T-PSS-10 total or subscale scores. The control group later received the same intervention, and assessments were repeated at 4 and 12 weeks post-intervention. At the 12 weeks follow-up, a significant improvement was found only in the depressive subscale of the GHQ-28 (p = 0.046).
Conclusion : Online CBT-based psychoeducation did not significantly reduce perceived stress among fifth-year medical students but improved resilience and mental health at 4-week follow-up. However, these benefits were not sustained at 12 weeks, except for reduced depressive symptoms.
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