EFFECTIVENESS OF SOUND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES IN REDUCING ANXIETY IN GRADE 12 STUDENTS AT SMAN 9 PEKANBARU

Abstract

Anxiety is a psychological disorder that is often experienced by high school students, especially when facing academic, social and family pressures. If not treated well, anxiety can have a negative impact on students' mental health and academic performance. One non-pharmacological method that can be used to reduce anxiety is the natural sound relaxation technique. This technique works by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which plays a role in creating a relaxing effect and reducing stress levels. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of natural sound relaxation techniques in reducing anxiety in grade 12 students at SMAN 9 Pekanbaru. This research uses a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest non-equivalent control group design approach. The sample consisted of 42 students selected using stratified random sampling techniques. Anxiety measurements were carried out using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using a paired T test (Paired T-Test) to see differences in anxiety levels before and after the intervention. The results showed that there was a significant reduction in anxiety levels in the treatment group after being given the natural sound relaxation technique intervention (p-value < 0.05). In contrast, the control group who did not receive the intervention did not show significant changes in anxiety levels. These results prove that the natural sound relaxation technique is effective in reducing anxiety in students. In conclusion, natural sound relaxation techniques can be used as an effective non-pharmacological therapy method in managing anxiety in high school students.