Academic Stress Interventions for University Students: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Maharani Devi Puspitasari University of Muhammadiyah Malang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijeps.v3i4.62

Keywords:

Academic Stress, Interventions, Systematic Review

Abstract

Academic stress is a common issue among university students, affecting academic performance, mental health, and well-being. This systematic review aims to identify effective interventions to reduce academic stress. Using the SPIDER framework and PRISMA guidelines, 20 relevant articles (2015–2025) were selected from databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The findings highlight various strategies such as mindfulness, self-affirmation, social support, self-efficacy training, emotional intelligence, ACT, relaxation, yoga, and digital interventions. Creative methods like art therapy and self-compassion also proved beneficial. These interventions promote stress reduction, emotional regulation, and academic resilience. The review offers practical insights for students, educators, and institutions to implement evidence-based approaches in fostering a healthier academic environment.

References

Alvarado-García, P. A. A., Soto-Vásquez, M. R., Reyes-Sánchez, L. P., Sandoval-Bocanegra, V. A., Ullón-Ramírez, R. C., Vargas-Fernández, Y., & Inca-Reyes, K. A. (2023). An Online Mindfulness Meditation Program as a Means for Mitigating Academic Stress among University Students. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 12(6), 141–149. https://doi.org/10.36941/ajis-2023-0159

Bamber, M. D., & Schneider, J. K. (2016). Mindfulness-based meditation to decrease stress and anxiety in college students: A narrative synthesis of the research. Educational Research Review, 18, 1–32. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2015.12.004

Cherry, M. L., & Wilcox, M. M. (2020). Decreasing perceived and academic stress through emotion regulation and nonjudging with trauma-exposed college students. International Journal of Stress Management, 27(2), 101–110. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1037/str0000138

Figueroa, C., Ayala, A., Trejo, L. A., Ramos, B., Briz, C. L., Noriega, I., & Chávez, A. (2023). Measuring the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Program to Manage Academic Stress through a Resilience to Stress Index. Sensors, 23(5), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23052650

Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy/bpg016

Khan, M., & Beri, N. (2024). Self-Affirmation: A Positive Psychological Approach to Self-Integrity, Self-Control and Academic Stress among Double Jeopardy Students of District Jalandhar, Punjab. Cuestiones de Fisioterapia, 53(3), 260–270.

Khorasani, E. C., Ardameh, M., Sany, S. B. T., Tehrani, H., Ghavami, V., & Gholian-aval, M. (2023). The influence of emotional intelligence on academic stress among medical students in Neyshabur, Iran. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-05344-0

Lakey, B., & Cohen, S. (2015). Social Support Theory and Measurement. Social Support Measurement and Intervention, December, 29–52. https://doi.org/10.1093/med:psych/9780195126709.003.0002

Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, Appraisal, and Coping. Springer Publishing Company.

Manansingh, S., Tatum, S. L., & Morote, E.-S. (2019). Effects of Relaxation Techniques on Nursing Students’ Academic Stress and Test Anxiety. Journal of Nursing Education, 58(9), 534–537. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20190819-07

Mohr, D. C., Weingardt, K. R., Reddy, M., & Schueller, S. M. (2017). Three problems with current digital mental health research. and three things we can do about them. Psychiatric Services, 68(5), 427–429. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600541

Moreno, S., Becerra, L., Ortega, G., Suarez-Ortegón, M. F., & Moreno, F. (2023). Effect of Hatha Yoga and meditation on academic stress in medical students—Clinical trial. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 10(3), 122–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2023.09.001

Nemati, S., Pourtaleb, N., BadriGargari, R., Hashemi, T., Deetjen, R., & Shojaeian, N. (2023). The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Training Program on the Level of Academic Stress and Academic Burnout in Students with Specific Learning Disability. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 7(4), 502–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-022-00307-0

Pǎduraru, A. E., Soponaru, C., Dîrţu, C., Gavrilovici, O., & Bucuţǎ, M. D. (2024). What do I need from myself as a student but also from others to reduce the impact of stress on academic performance? Self-efficacy and social support. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1469865

Pascoe, M. C., Hetrick, S. E., & Parker, A. G. (2020). The impact of stress on students in secondary school and higher education. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 104–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2019.1596823

Purnawati, S., Adiatmika, P. G., & Lesmana, C. B. J. (2021). The effect of a problem-focused coping stress management program on self-efficacy, psychological distress, and salivary cortisol among first-year medical students of udayana university. Acta Medica Philippina, 55(6), 675–680. https://doi.org/10.47895/AMP.V55I6.3163

Sajid, M. R., Raddaoui, L., Abu Shagra, F., Shaikh, A. S., Shaikh, A. A., Tamim, H., & Al-Kattan, K. (2024). Faith, Friends, and Humor: How Medical Students Cope with Academic Stress in a Private Medical University in Saudi Arabia. Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 15, 1205–1213. https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S475224

Shadi, M., Peyman, N., Taghipour, A., Jafari, A., & Tehrani, H. (2022). Can Social Media be Used to Control Academic Stress? An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 24(1), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.32604/ijmhp.2021.017343

Tasalim, R., & Cahyani, A. R. (2021). Stres Adakemik dan Penanganannya (Guepedia (ed.)). Guepedia.

Ugwuozor, F. O., Otu, M. S., & Mbaji, I. N. (2021). Critical thinking intervention for stress reduction among undergraduates in the Nigerian Universities [Intervención de pensamiento crítico para la reducción del estrés entre estudiantes universitarios en las universidades de Nigeria]. Medicine, 100(11), 1–7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33725978/

Varvogli, L., & Darviri, C. (2011). Stress management techniques: Evidence-based procedures that reduce stress and promote health. Health Science Journal, 5(2), 74–89.

Yin, Y., & Ko, K. S. (2023). The effect of group art therapy on acculturative and academic stress of Chinese graduate students in South Korea. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(July), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1179778

Ying, C., Liu, C., He, J., & Wang, J. (2018). Academic stress and evaluation of a mindfulness training intervention program. NeuroQuantology, 16(5), 97–103. https://doi.org/10.14704/nq.2018.16.5.1311

Yusoff, M. S. B., & Esa, A. R. (2015). A DEAL-based intervention for the reduction of depression, denial, self-blame and academic stress: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 10(1), 82–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2014.08.003

Zhang, Y., Luo, X., Che, X., & Duan, W. (2016). Protective effect of self-compassion to emotional response among students with chronic academic stress. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(NOV), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01802

Downloads

Published

2025-07-07

Issue

Section

Articles