This study intends to select first-year undergraduate nursing students registered in October 2024 at Changzhi Medical College in Shanxi as the sampling population. A total of 120 eligible individual samples in eligible clusters will be screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the cluster samples will be randomly assigned to either the wait-list group or the intervention group. Participants in wait-list group will not receive any intervention, while participants in intervention group will receive IMB-based stress self-management health education. The intervention will last for 8 weeks, with one module delivers by weeks. Each module will include a 30-40 minute lecture combined with exercises, discussions, and role-playing activities. Measurements will be taken before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention. These measurements will include the Stress Knowledge Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Resilience Scale, and the stress sub-scale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.
The study data will be analyzed using the intention-to-treat (ITT) method. Continuous data will be described using mean (standard deviation) or median (interquartile range), and categorical data will be described using frequency and percentage. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used to compare differences between the two groups before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention. Generalized linear models (GMM) will be utilized to determine the effects of IMB-based stress self-management health education on the variables immediately post-intervention, and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-intervention, while controlling for confounding variables. Sensitivity analysis will be performed and reported. The mean estimates will be set with a 95% confidence interval, and the significance level will be set at P < 0.05.
This study aims to explore new low-cost approaches for current college student mental health education, improve stress self-management abilities and stress levels among nursing students, prevent mental disorders, and promote mental health. To ensure the safety of participants throughout the study, the research team will strictly adhere to ethical standards and undergo review and supervision by the ethics committee. Informed consent will be obtained from participants, and their privacy and personal information will be kept confidential, not disclosed or misused. Regular safety monitoring and risk assessments will be conducted. The research protocol will be strictly followed, and psychological counseling services will be provided to participants.