The impact of cognitive-behavioural stress management coaching on changes in cognitive appraisal and the stress response: a field experiment

Building on the transactional model of stress and coping, we examined the effectiveness of a cognitive–behavioural coaching programme. In a randomised controlled field study, undergraduates were instructed to formulate stress-related goals for themselves and were allocated to attend an intervention group receiving one-on-one stress management coaching (coaching; n = 24) or a control group receiving no additional intervention (goal formulation; n = 20). Results suggest that both coaching and goal formulation led to a significant increase in goal attainment that was maintained at a 4-week follow-up assessment. Compared with goal formulation, coaching positively affected participants’ cognitive stress appraisal and led to reduced chronic stress levels (chronic stress screening scores, high work demands, and chronic worrying) 4 weeks after the intervention. The reduction of chronic stress was mediated by the change in participants’ cognitive stress appraisal. Thus, cognitive–behavioural coaching appears effective in helping individuals develop strategies to deal with stress, while also remaining focused on relevant goals.