Evaluating the Effectiveness of Problem-Focused Coping Strategies in Reducing Vocational High School Students’ Anxiety About Entering the Workforce

Abstract

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of group counseling based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) using problem-focused coping strategies in reducing vocational high school students’ anxiety when preparing to enter the workforce. The study employed an experimental research method with a one-group pretest–posttest design. The sample consisted of six vocational high school students identified as having high levels of anxiety. Data were collected using two anxiety scale instruments: the first for screening purposes and the second for pretest and posttest measurements. The data were analyzed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results indicated a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores (Z = -2.201, p = 0.028; p < 0.05). Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected. It can be concluded that group counseling based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy using problem-focused coping strategies is effective in reducing students’ anxiety in preparing to enter the workforce.