Experiences of Stress Management Group Sessions with Adolescents Living in the Child Protection System
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Copyright (c) 2025 Erdei Ildikó, Mester Viktória

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Abstract
The development of adolescents living in the child protection system is often shaped by early traumatic experiences, losses, and unstable attachment patterns, which may result in heightened emotional stress and impaired self-regulation. The aim of the present study is to present a group-based intervention focusing on stress management and the development of self-awareness among adolescents aged 14–18. The group work was designed to reduce tension, increase awareness of personal resources, and enhance coping skills. The theoretical framework of the program was grounded in the self-regulatory model of personality, the psychodynamic approach to group development, and the group development model proposed by Amundson et al. (2013). International research findings—particularly meta-analyses on the group-based application of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT)—support the effectiveness of group interventions. Our experiences indicate that a structured group setting facilitated emotional expression, self-reflection, and the experience of social support, thereby contributing to the adolescents’ personality development and psychological well-being.
https://doi.org/10.18458/KB.2025.4.163