The effects of a stress management program in a high security government agency

Forty-four employees of a regional of a branch federal government agency volunteered to participate in a three month stress management program. After a series of pretests, the participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: Transcendental Meditation (TM) or an education control designated “Corporate Stress Management” (CSM). After the twelve-week intervention period, and again after three years, participants were re-administered the same test battery. The three-month results revealed a reduction in anxiety and depression in the TM group. The three-year results suggested a reduction in anxiety, depression, and improved self-concept in the TM group.