Abstract

Introduction

Indonesia is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. It has been demonstrated that anxiety in adolescents is a significant negative psychological effect of living in an earthquake-prone area. Recommended therapies for reducing anxiety include relaxation and thought stopping, a cognitive intervention technique. The current study objective was to determine the effect of a nursing intervention involving relaxation techniques on anxiety levels in adolescents living in earthquake-prone areas, compared to the effects of the same nursing intervention in combination with thought stopping.

Methods

This study design used a quasi-experimental study was of pretest-posttest control group. One hundred and twelve respondents (n = 56 in the control group and n = 56 in the intervention group) met the inclusion criteria. Both groups received the nursing intervention comprising deep breathing exercises, distraction techniques, and five-finger hypnosis. In addition, the intervention group was asked to use thought-stopping techniques. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale questionnaire was used to determine anxiety levels. Univariate and bivariate data analysis was performed (a dependent and an independent t-test).

Results

A significant decrease in anxiety in both the control and intervention groups was demonstrated in the present study after the intervention. The intervention group experienced a decrease in the anxiety rating of 5.54, compared to corresponding decrease in the control group (nursing intervention only) of 2.79.

Conclusion

A nursing intervention and thought stopping are recommended as effective in reducing anxiety in adolescents living in earthquake-prone areas.