A systematic review of stress reduction interventions among graduate students

Objective: To provide a synthesis of stress reduction interventions available to graduate students since the end of the previous review published by Stillwell et al. in 2017. Participants: Graduate students in North America. Methods: Eligible studies: (1) were peer-reviewed and published between 2016-2024; (2) involved master's, doctoral, professional, or post-graduate students; (3) assessed interventions to reduce stress; (4) gauged participants' perceived stress levels pre- and post-intervention; and (5) were conducted in North America. Results: Twenty-nine studies (representing 1,919 students) were included and the majority of included studies implemented multi-component interventions, with mindfulness, breathing techniques, and physical activity being the most commonly included components. Twelve studies demonstrated significant reductions in perceived stress associated with their interventions, all of which used at least two components. Conclusions: The findings suggest that multi-pronged interventions can positively impact perceived stress among graduate students. However, further research is needed to identify the most effective approaches.