Effectiveness of Group Counseling in Reducing Anxiety Among Senior High School Students in the Second Congressional District, Division of Quezon: Basis for Group Counseling Program

This study examined the effectiveness of group counseling in reducing anxiety among senior high school students in the Second Congressional District, Division of Quezon specifically at Quezon National High School, Lucena City, Philippines. Utilizing a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design, the study involved six (6) Grade 12 students selected through criterion-based purposive sampling based on moderate to severe anxiety levels as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The intervention consisted of five structured group counseling sessions integrating cognitive restructuring, emotional regulation, reflective journaling, trigger identification, and peer-sharing activities. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, while qualitative data were obtained through written interviews and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that prior to the intervention, participants had a mean GAD-7 score of 15.50 (severe anxiety), which decreased to a mean of 10.00 (moderate anxiety) after the intervention. Five out of six participants showed reductions in anxiety scores, and four participants shifted to lower severity categories (mild to moderate). Although the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test indicated no statistically significant difference at the 0.05 level (p = .063), consistent reductions were observed across all anxiety indicators, particularly in restlessness, irritability, and difficulty controlling worry. Qualitative findings further revealed improvements in emotional relief, self-awareness, coping skills, and peer support. The study concludes that group counseling demonstrates practical effectiveness as a school-based intervention for reducing anxiety among adolescents. It recommends sustained implementation, extended session duration, and further validation through larger samples. The SHIELD Group Counseling Program is proposed as a structured, contextually relevant model for school-based mental health intervention.