Summary:
Introduction: Nowadays, while stress and unhealthy lifestyles are increasing more and more, the rapid appearance of various non-communicable diseases is observed as a consequence of them. The solution to this problem can be the prevention through intervention programs in the school environment, and in particular in the first grades of children's education. More specifically, managing emotions and learning a new routine in children's everyday life can be the driving force for a healthy adult life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the 9-week Pythagorean Self-Awareness program with the aim of managing stress and establishing a healthy lifestyle. It is an innovative stress management program based on the cognitive reconstruction of the individual. The sample in which the specific program was carried out was preschool students (3-6 years old).
Materials and methods: In this study, the one group (double) pretest - posttest design was used, so the results of the measurements before and after the intervention were compared. Measurements were taken twice before the intervention and once after it. Two questionnaires, the Perceived Stress Scale for Children (PSS-C) and Checklist for screening behavioral problems in preschool children, as well as a PPG (Photoplethysmograph) device were used in each measurement. In addition, each child's demographic data (gender, age) were obtained. Inductive and descriptive statistics methods were used for the statistical analysis of the sample data.
Results: At the end of the program, by comparing the initial measurements of the participants, it was observed that there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05 for all comparisons). In the comparison of pretest and posttest results, it appears that there was a statistically significant difference in all quantitative variables [Perceived Stress (p<0.0001), Checklist for screening behavioral problems in preschool children, (p<0.0001), PPG Stress Flow, Heart Rate mean (p<0.0001) and Low Frequency/Very Low Frequency (p=0,034)].
Conclusions: The Pythagorean Self-awareness program had a beneficial effect on stress management and lifestyle in the sample of preschool students.
Keywords:
Stress, Kindergarten, Pythagorean Self-awareness, Stress management
