Table 1.
Detailed description of the selected studies
| Authors | N | Age range, mean age (SD), grade, gender, ethnicitya | Study design | Target group (selection) | Intervention | Program target (stress reduction) | Stress outcomeb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett and Dorjee (2016) | 24 |
16–18 years, 17.70 (0.73) 11–12th grade, 58% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Self-selected (voluntary) | Mindfulness-based stress reduction | Direct | Psychological stress (DASS, 7 items), perceived stress (body barometer, 1 item) |
| Bluth et al. (2016) | 27 |
17.0 9–12th grade, 59% boys, 82% minorities |
RCT | Self-selected (voluntary) | Learning to BREATHE | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Burckhardt et al. (2016) | 63 |
15–18 years 10–11th grade, 61% boys |
Cluster RCT | Screened (high depression, anxiety, stress levels) | Strong Minds | Direct | Stress levels (DASS, 7 items) |
| Butzer et al. (2017) | 209 |
12.64 (0.33) 7th grade, 37% boys, 47% minorities |
Cluster RCT | Community | Kripalu Yoga in the schools | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Campbell et al. (2019) | 1007 |
13–19 years, 15.96 (1.17) 9–12th grade, 50% boys, 30% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Community | .b (the Mindfulness in Schools Project) | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 9 items) |
| Carreres-Ponsoda et al. (2017) | 30 |
16–18 years, 16.80 50% boys |
RCT | Self-selected (voluntary) | Mindfulness-based stress reduction | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 14 items) |
| Carter (2010) | 64 |
13–16 years, 14.70 (0.74) 9–10th grade, 45% boys, 22% minorities |
Cluster RCT | Self-selected (self-identified and identified by others) | The Best of Coping program | Direct | Stress appraisal of challenge, threat and resources (SAMA, 4, 7 and 3 items) |
| Cross et al. (2018) | 2945 |
13.0 8–9th grade, 50% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Friendly Schools Program | Indirect | Stress scores (DASS, 7 items) |
| Da Silva et al. (2019) | 20 |
11–14 years, 12.10 (1.50) 70% boys |
RCT | Screened (ADHD) | Swimming-learning program | Indirect | Perceived stress (PSS, 14 items) |
| De Anda (1998) | 54 |
12–14 years, 13.00 30% boys, 53% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Self-selected (voluntary) | Cognitive-behavioral stress management program | Direct | Degree of experienced stress (ASCM, 4 items) |
| Dowling et al. (2019) | 675 |
15–18 years, 15.87 (0.69) 5th grade, 50% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | MindOut program | Direct | Levels of symptoms related to stress (DASS, 7 items) |
| Ebrahmimi et al. (2015) | 40 |
14–18 years, 16.48 (1.10) 100% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Self-selected (voluntary) | Spiritual intelligence training | Direct | Stress scores (DASS, 7 items) |
| Eggert et al. (1995) | 105 |
15.86 (1.01) 9–12th grade, 42% boys, 72% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Screened (suicide risk) | Personal growth class | Direct | Perceived stress and pressure from others (4 items) |
| Eslami et al. (2016) | 126 |
16.33 (7.02) 0% boys |
RCT | Community | Assertiveness training program | Direct | Stress levels (DASS, 7 items) |
| Fridrici and Lohaus (2009) | 904 |
12–18 years 8–9th grade, 50% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Stress prevention intervention | Direct | General stress (3 items) |
| Fung et al. (2019) | 145 |
13–15 years, 13.99 (0.36) 9th grade, 32% boys, 97% minorities |
RCT | Screened (depressive symptoms) | Learning to breathe | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 9 items) |
| Garcia et al. (2013) | 41 |
13–16 years, 14.80 (0.72) 9–10th grade, 0% boys, 100% minorities |
RCT | Self-selected (voluntary) | Project Wing’s Girl’s group | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 14 items), level of stress symptoms (DASS, 14 items) |
| Goodman and Newman (2014) | 60 |
9th or 12th grade 0% boys |
RCT | Self-selected (voluntary) | Digital storytelling | Direct | Experienced daily stress (ASQ, 31 items) |
| Hampel et al. (2008) | 320 |
10–14 years, 11.70 (1.18) 5–8th grade, 50% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Community | Anti-stress training | Direct | Interpersonal, academic stress (7 items) |
| Hiebert et al. (1989) Study 1 | 79 |
13–14 years 8th grade, 48% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Progressive relaxation | Direct | Stress symptoms (SOSI, 59 items) |
| Hiebert et al. (1989) Study 2 | 22 |
17–18 years 11–12th grade, 63% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Self-selected (elective module) | Progressive relaxation | Direct | Stress symptoms (SOSI, 59 items) |
| Jamali et al. 2016 | 100 |
13–14 years, 13.50 (1.01) 50% boys |
RCT | Community | Life skills training | Indirect | Perceived stress (10 items) |
| Jellesma and Cornelis (2012) | 54 |
8–13 years, 10.58 (1.58) 3th/6th grade, 65% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Mind Magic Program | Direct | Psychological, mental stress (10-point scale) |
| Jose and Sajeena (2017) | 60 | 8–10th grade | Cluster RCT | Self-selected | Yoga therapy | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Khalsa et al. (2012) | 100 |
15–19 years, 16.80 (0.60) 11–12th grade, 58% boys, 10% minorities |
Cluster RCT | Community | Yoga Ed program | Direct | Perception of stress (PSS, 10 items), social stress (BASC, 13 items) |
| Kiselica et al. (1994) | 48 | 9th grade, 54% boys, 0% minorities | Cluster RCT | Screened (anxiety symptoms) | Stress inoculation training | Direct | Stress symptoms (SOSI, 118 items) |
| Kraag et al. (2009) | 1437 |
10.30 (0.64) 5–6th grade, 50 % boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Learn Young, Learn Fair | Direct | Physiological, psychological stress symptoms (MUSIC) |
| Kuyken et al. (2013) | 522 |
12–16 years, 14.80 (1.50) 70% boys, 28% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Community | Mindfulness in Schools Program | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Lai et al. (2016) | 2304 |
14–16 years, 15.40 (1.00) 8–10th grade, 51% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Community | The Little Prince is Depressed | Direct | Stress levels (DASS, 7 items) |
| Lang et al. (2017) | 122 |
16.22 (1.12) 65% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | EPHECT coping training | Direct | Perceived stress (ASQ, 30 items) |
| Lau and Hue (2011) | 48 |
14–16 years, 15.83 38% boys 0% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Self-selected (voluntary) | Mindfulness program | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10) |
| Lee et al. (2018) | 20 | 10–11 years, 10.50 | RCT | Screened (emotional and behavioral problems) | Horticulture-related activities | Indirect | Stress levels: social, school stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Livheim et al. (2015) | 32 |
14–15 years 28% boys |
RCT | Screened (depressive symptoms) | Acceptance and Commitment Therapy | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items), stress levels (DASS, 7 items) |
| Manjushambika et al. (2017) | 65 |
11–17 years, 14.50 42% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Screened | Jacobson’s Progressive Muscle Relaxation | Direct | Educational stress (ESSA, 16 items) |
| Marsland et al. (2019) | 70 |
8–14 years, 10.65 (1.49) 3–8th grade, 54% boys, 70% minorities |
RCT | Screened (asthma) | I Can Cope | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Metz et al. (2013) | 216 |
16.45 (0.95) 10–12th grade, 34% boys, 11% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Community | Learning to Breathe | Direct | Perceived stress level (1 item) |
| Noggle et al. (2012) | 51 |
17.20 (0.70) 11–12th grade, 46% boys, 8% minorities |
Cluster RCT | Community | Kripula yoga | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Norlander et al. (2005) | 95 |
11.31 (1.09) 44% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Community | Relaxation | Direct | Experienced stress levels (10 items) |
| Puolakanaho et al. (2019) | 205 |
15.27 (0.39) 9th grade, 51% boys |
RCT | Community | Youth COMPASS | Direct | Overall stress (1 item), school stress (4 items) |
| Quach et al. (2016) | 149 |
12–15 years, 13.18 (0.72) 7–9th grade, 38% boys, 99% minorities |
RCT | Community | Mindfulness meditation and hatha yoga | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Reiss (2013) | 40 |
16–18 years, 17.25 (0.54) 12th grade, 65% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Self-selected (voluntary) | Mindfulness meditation treatment | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Rentala et al. (2019) | 60 | 16–19 years, 17.13, 0% boys | RCT | Screened (high stress levels) | Holistic group health promotion program | Direct | Stress levels (DASS, 7 items), educational stress (ESSA, 16 items) |
| Ruiz-Aranda et al. (2012) | 147 |
13–16 years, 14.18 (0.64) 40% boys |
RCT | Community | Emotional intelligence education program | Indirect | Social stress (BASC, 13 items) |
| Sibinga et al. (2013) | 41 |
11–14 years, 12.50 7–8th grade, 100% boys, 95% minorities |
RCT | Community | Mindfulness-based stress reduction | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Sibinga et al. (2016) | 300 |
12.00 5–8th grade, 49% boys, 100% minorities |
Cluster RCT | Community | Mindfulness-based stress reduction | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 6 items) |
| Silbert and Berry (1991) | 145, 178 |
14–18 years, 15.00 10th grade, 50% boys, 70% minorities |
Quasi-experimental | Screened, community | Suicide prevention unit | Indirect | Subjective experience of stress (SSS, 14 items) |
| Singhal et al. (2014) | 19 |
13–18 years 9th grade, 0% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Screened (sub-clinical depression) | Coping skills program | Direct | Academic stress (SAAS) |
| Singhal et al. (2018) | 120 |
13–18 years 8th, 9th and 11th grade |
Cluster RCT | Screened (sub-clinical depression) | Coping skills program | Direct | Academic stress (SAAS) |
| Solar (2013) | 10 |
14–18 years, 16.00 (1.25) 9–12th grade, 70% boys, 30% minorities |
RCT | Screened (emotional / learning disability or other health impairment) | Mindfulness meditation | Direct | Perceived stress (PSS, 10 items) |
| Terjestam (2011) | 393 |
12–15 years, 13.90 7–9th grade, 48% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Meditation based technique for stillness | Direct | General stress (3 items) |
| Terjestam et al. (2010) | 119 |
13–14 years, 13.18 7th grade, 49% boys |
Quasi-experimental | Community | Qigong | Direct | General stress (3 items) |
| Terjestam et al. (2016) | 307 |
5–8th grade 52% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Compas program | Direct | Stress levels (General Stress Scale, 3 items) |
| Van der Gucht et al. (2018) | 390 |
13–20 years, 15.40 (1.20) 9–11th grade, 37% boys |
Cluster RCT | Community | Mindfulness group training | Direct | Stress symptoms (DASS, 7 items) |
| Van Ryzin and Roseth (2018) | 1449 |
7th grade 52% boys, 24% minorities |
Cluster RCT | Community | Cooperation in the classroom | Indirect | Perceived stress (PSS, 4 items) |
| Zafar and Khalily (2015) | 100 |
12–18 years 50% boys |
RCT | Screened (high depression, anxiety, stress levels) | Didactic therapy | Direct | Stress levels (DASS, 14 items) |
DASS depression anxiety stress scale, RCT randomized controlled trial, PSS perceived stress scale, SAMA stress appraisal measure for adolescents, ASCM the adolescent stress and coping measure, ASQ adolescent stress questionnaire, SOSI symptoms of stress inventory, MUSIC Maastricht University Stress Instrument for Children, BASC behavior assessment system for children and adolescents, ESSA education stress scale for adolescents, SAA scale for academic stress
aPercentage of minorities (i.e., non-Caucasian)
bDescriptions of authors