Managing Stress in the Helping Professions: Clinical Trials with Teachers and Nurses

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Optimistic Stress Management Program—a cognitive-behavioral intervention—in mitigating occupational stress among nurses (N=8) and teachers (N=10). Both professions are identified as highly vulnerable to stress and burnout due to emotional and organizational demands.The quasi-experimental intervention used a non-concurrent multiple baseline design and incorporated both subjective measures (Brief Stress Test, PWI) and objective measures (salivary cortisol analysis). Results showed that the program effectively reduced both physiological stress (cortisol levels) and subjective stress intensity across the samples. Decreases in cortisol were more consistent among nurses. Post-intervention, a negative correlation was observed between chronic stress and subjective well-being and optimism. The findings support the program’s use as a preventive strategy in high-stress occupational contexts.