Purpose

The present study aimed to assess the effect of progressive muscle relaxation in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression levels in adolescents.

Design and methods

A quasi-experimental design was performed. The study population consisted of 12th-grade students studying in two high schools in Turkiye. Adolescents were allocated to intervention and control groups in a ratio of 1:2, considering their preferences. A total of 88 students (intervention = 31; control = 57) completed the study. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-42) were used to collect the data. Online progressive muscle relaxation was implemented in the intervention group over eight weeks.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding stress, anxiety, and depression pre-test mean scores. The correction of DASS-42 pre-test mean scores was performed by covariance analysis. There was a statistically significant difference in the post-test stress, anxiety, and depression mean scores of the adolescents in the intervention group according to the corrected DASS-42 pre-test mean scores.

Conclusion

The study concluded that progressive muscle relaxation reduced stress, anxiety, and depression in adolescents.

Practice implications

School nurses could implement progressive muscle relaxation to support adolescents in managing stress, anxiety, and depression.