This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects of stress management interventions in reducing stress, depression, and anxiety among college students. Two separate meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials were conducted using the random-effects model, for students with high-stress levels (n = 8) and for the unselected college student population (n = 46). Overall, main results showed moderate intervention effects for stress, depression, and anxiety in both groups. Subgroup analyses yielded significant differences related to the theoretical background, the type of control condition, and the length of the intervention in trials targeting students with high-stress levels. However, these subgroup differences, except for the theoretical background, were not observed in trials including unselected samples. Our results suggest that stress management interventions may be effective in reducing distress among college students.

Symptoms of stress are common among college students. Stress management programs are provided to help students in reducing stress. The present study showed that stress management programs have the potential to decrease stress and prevent mental health problems in higher education.

Several studies have shown that between 20% and 45% of college students experience at least one mental health disorder in a given year (Auerbach et al., 2016; Blanco et al., 2008). The onset of common mental health disorders mostly occurs during the ages of 20–30 years old and may be related to a series of developmental transitions (Kessler et al., 2005; McGorry, Purcell, Goldstone, & Amminger, 2011). Students encounter various stressors, such as academic stress, personal problems, career issues, and economic concerns (The American College Health Association, 2009). Encountering a...