Amidst reports that rank teens among the most stressed generation in the country, a new study offers hope for helping kids effectively manage stress and build long-term resiliency.

A pilot study, published in the spring issue of the journal Advances, describes how the Benson-Henry Institute’s stress-reduction/resiliency-building curriculum helped a group of Boston-area high school students significantly reduce their anxiety levels, increase productivity and effectively manage stress over time.

This may be just the right treatment for kids who report feeling more stress than all other age groups. The 2014 annual survey of the American Psychological Association found that teens reported experiencing more stress than all other age demographics. The most significant sources of stress include financial insecurity, conflict at home and with peers.

Experiencing high levels of stress has surprisingly significant long-term implications, including everything from physical and psychological health problems, to poor academic performance and an inclination toward harmful lifestyle choices.

For over 30 years, the BHI has been working to prevent these short- and long-term consequences through its Resilient Youth (formerly known as the Education Initiative) program. Program directors Rana Chudnofsky and Laura Malloy train educators in a  curriculum that teaches on the science of stress and relaxation, as well as how to use relaxation strategies such as breathing and imagery, and positive psychology techniques such as reframing one’s thoughts.

In this latest study, 12 teachers from the Edward M. Kennedy School received six hours of training in the resiliency curriculum, which they then implemented with students over the course of six to eight weeks, depending on class schedules.

Students who received the curriculum reported significantly less perceived stress, less anxiety and a greater ability to manage stress and practice healthy lifestyle behaviors. This was true immediately after program completion as well as a year after the program, indicating that it is effective in both the short- and long term.

Researchers hope to build on this evidence with future larger studies. Specifically, Resilient Youth directors are interested in understanding which aspects of the resiliency curriculum are most effective, what stressors it’s most helpful for and how long students continue to use the skills they learn.

“It’s important for us to continue to expand our research- not only to help us continually refine and improve the program, but also to demonstrate to educational and political leadership that this work is worth investing in on a broad scale for the benefit of our children,” said senior program director, Marilyn Wilcher.

Amidst reports that rank teens among the most stressed generation in the country, a new study offers hope for helping kids effectively manage stress and build long-term resiliency.

A pilot study, published in the spring issue of the journal Advances, describes how the Benson-Henry Institute’s stress-reduction/resiliency-building curriculum helped a group of Boston-area high school students significantly reduce their anxiety levels, increase productivity and effectively manage stress over time.

This may be just the right treatment for kids who report feeling more stress than all other age groups. The 2014 annual survey of the American Psychological Association found that teens reported experiencing more stress than all other age demographics. The most significant sources of stress include financial insecurity, conflict at home and with peers.

Experiencing high levels of stress has surprisingly significant long-term implications, including everything from physical and psychological health problems, to poor academic performance and an inclination toward harmful lifestyle choices.

For over 30 years, the BHI has been working to prevent these short- and long-term consequences through its Resilient Youth (formerly known as the Education Initiative) program. Program directors Rana Chudnofsky and Laura Malloy train educators in a  curriculum that teaches on the science of stress and relaxation, as well as how to use relaxation strategies such as breathing and imagery, and positive psychology techniques such as reframing one’s thoughts.

In this latest study, 12 teachers received six hours of training in the resiliency curriculum, which they then implemented with students over the course of six to eight weeks, depending on class schedules.

Students who received the curriculum reported significantly less perceived stress, less anxiety and a greater ability to manage stress and practice healthy lifestyle behaviors. This was true immediately after program completion as well as a year after the program, indicating that it is effective in both the short- and long term.

Researchers hope to build on this evidence with future larger studies. Specifically, Resilient Youth directors are interested in understanding which aspects of the resiliency curriculum are most effective, what stressors it’s most helpful for and how long students continue to use the skills they learn.

“It’s important for us to continue to expand our research- not only to help us continually refine and improve the program, but also to demonstrate to educational and political leadership that this work is worth investing in on a broad scale for the benefit of our children,” said senior program director, Marilyn Wilcher.