Synopses & Reviews
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of music-assisted relaxation (MAR) on women graduate students' stress/anxiety levels. It was predicted that MAR would: (1) help reduce women graduate students' stress and anxiety and (2) modulate this population's moods in a positive way. Thirty-two women graduate students enrolled in graduate programs of a large research-intensive university in the Midwest served as subjects in this study. STAI Y-1 and POMS short form, blood pressure, and heart-rate were used to evaluate the subjects' stress/anxiety levels and stress-related mood and physiological states. There were significant differences found in STAI and two factors (tension-anxiety and vigor) of POMS, suggesting that MAR can facilitate stress/anxiety management for women graduate students and increase their vigor.