Date of Award

Fall 9-5-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

James Marley

Abstract

The ongoing youth mental health crisis in the United States, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, has highlighted the urgent need for accessible and effective school-based interventions. This dissertation evaluates the effectiveness of Stress Less: Resilience for Success™, a single-session, classroom-based stress awareness and coping skills program implemented by NAMI Metro Suburban in diverse middle and high schools in the western suburbs of Chicago from 2018 to 2024. Using the CDC’s Framework for Program Evaluation, this study analyzes secondary data from 7,225 pre-test and post-test surveys and is complemented by qualitative informational interviews with current and former NAMI staff and volunteers to assess the program’s implementation and fidelity. The research explored changes in students’ knowledge of stress and coping skills, their intention to use coping strategies, and their willingness to speak with a trusted adult. Variations were analyzed based on race, gender, grade level, school type, and delivery method (in-person vs. virtual). The findings demonstrate statistically significant increases in students’ knowledge and coping strategy intentions post-intervention, with notable patterns based on demographic factors and modality. The study emphasizes the importance of culturally responsive, universally accessible interventions in promoting adolescent mental health and early help-seeking behaviors within school settings. Implications for social work practice, school-based mental health, and community-based program implementation are discussed.

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