Table 3 General characteristics of studies that were performed by SMS (N = 5)

Hashemi. F et al., 2013 [44]

Stress management skills

Group training during 10 sessions of 2 h per week

Mental health

F = 74.63, Eta = 0.780, P = 0.000

The mental health of the experimental group increased in the post-test phase (P < 0.05).

Moderate

Koumparou et al., 2021 [45]

Stress management

8 weekly Stress management sessions

Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Perceived Stress, Fertility Problem Inventory

Perceived stressT1,T2 Mean(SD) = 26.5 (8.1), 18.6 (7.1), p < 0.001

Depression T1,T2 Mean(SD) = 6.3 (6.33), 1.76 (2.97), p < 0.001

Anxiety T1,T2 Mean(SD) = 4.66 (5.43), 1.7 (3.17), p < 0.001

Stress T1,T2 Mean(SD) = 7.85 (5.98), 3.38 (4.29), p < 0.001

Global stress T1,T2 Mean(SD) = 148 (38.1), 131.9 (29.6), p < 0.001

Total stress in the intervention group declined significantly (p < 0.001) in respect to all the parameters of the PSS-14, DASS-21 and FPI scales.

Strong

Hamid N, 2011 [46]

Stress Management

Intervention group (12 sessions of 2 h) control group (did not receive intervention)

Depression, Anxiety

and Fertilization

Depression pre, post, fallow up Mean(SD) = 60.21(8.41), 26.18(5.91), 26.09(5.61), F = 9.16, P = 0.001

Anxiety pre, post, fallow up Mean(SD) = 20.32(4.83), 14.17(2.12), 13.92(2.17), F = 8.56, P = 0.001

Stress management training was effective in reducing and anxiety in the post-test phase and 12-month follow-up.

Strong

Heredia et al., 2019 [47]

Psychological intervention focused on stress management

A 90-minute session includes psychoeducation, relaxation and coping skills

State anxiety, emotional imbalance, perceived quality of life

State anxiety D, F = − 3.90, 9.69, P = 0.005

Emotional imbalance D, F = − 17.50, 4.90, P = 0.037

QoL Total D, F = 10.00, 4.27, P = 0.049

Psychological intervention focused on stress management was effective in reducing anxiety and emotional imbalance and improving perceived quality of life.

Moderate

Akiko MORI, 2009 [48]

Supporting stress management

Experimental group (asked to continue stress management homework for 3 months)

Risk ratio of depression and anxiety, health status

Anxiety risk ratio(95% CI) = 1.05( 0.54–2.04)

Anxiety baseline, At 1, 2, 3 month Mean(SD) = 5.5(3.19), 5.5 (3.88), 5.2 ( 3.55), 4.5( 3.90), p = 0/021

Depression risk ratio(95% CI) = 1.17 ( 0.55–2.47)

Depression baseline, At 1, 2, 3 month Mean(SD) = 4.2 ( 2.64), 10.2 ( 6.59), 4.6 (3.27), 4.4 ( 3.46), p = 0.018

Role functioning physical F (time × program)=

10.52, P = 0.002

physical component summary F (time ×program) = 12.68, P = 0.001

Support did not prevent the incidence of depression and anxiety but Positive effects were observed on role functioning physical and physical component summary.

Moderate