A Study to evaluate the effectiveness of Multi Component Intervention Program (MCIP) on the level of Anxiety among Adolescents

Background: Adolescents are the future of the nation, forming a major demographic and economic force. One of every six person is an adolescent. There are about 1.2 billion adolescents with the age group of 10-19 years, which comprises sixteen percent of world’s population. Studies have shown that relaxation training has tremendous effect in decreasing anxiety. In present study a combination of Deep Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Laughter Therapy was included. Objectives • To assess and analyze the level of anxiety among adolescents, • To prepare a multi component intervention programme for adolescents with anxiety, • To evaluate the effect of multi component intervention programme (MCIP) on anxiety level of Adolescents. Methods: Descriptive approach with Quasi experimental Pre-test Post-test Control Group design was used to conduct the study. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase I total enumeration sampling was used to assess the prevalence and level of anxiety among 1447 study subjects using standardized tool i.e. State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). In phase II, study subjects who were having high to extremely high state anxiety scores were selected and Multi Component Intervention Programme (MCIP) was implemented once in a day for 15 days. Anxiety in study subjects was re-assessed with State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) after 15 days. Results: Finding revealed that in phase I majority 51.14% study subjects had average state anxiety followed by 20.73% with high state anxiety as measured by STAI. In phase II MCIP was implemented and findings revealed that MCIP was effective in reducing the anxiety of adolescents. Association of anxiety with Gender, Family income and Class was found to be statistically significant among study subjects. Conclusion: The present study confirms the prevalence of anxiety among adolescents and highlights the need for immediate attention towards strategies in reducing the magnitude of the problem. Teachers can play a vital role in early identification of anxious adolescents and helping them in promotion of their psychological functioning thereby improving their self confidence, social integrity and social interaction.