Research paper · RP19

Stress-Is-Enhancing, Pooled

Brief stress-mindset practices try to shift a single belief: that stress can enhance performance, health and growth rather than only harm them. Across seven randomised comparisons with convertible effect sizes, the pooled near-term effect on stress mindset was Hedges g = 0.66 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.94; I² = 80%; 95% prediction interval −0.20 to 1.53). The average is medium. The prediction interval crosses zero. That is the honest headline. A three-minute video can move the score today and lose the gain by week four. A metacognitive session, an imagery rehearsal, or daily writing reps hold the shift longer. Downstream effects are smaller and less stable. A prior performance meta-analysis of stress-is-enhancing practices alone found d = 0.18 (95% CI −0.15 to 0.51; k = 6), which was not statistically significant. Symptom and wellbeing results split: some employee and student trials report fewer physical complaints or better affect; two German-speaking adult trials found no wellbeing lift once the mindset change faded. Physiological findings are sparse and should not be pooled. No eligible Indian trial was found in CTRI, ClinicalTrials.gov, or the bibliographic databases. For Indian professionals the implication is practical rather than mystical. The technique is cheap, short, and teachable as a daily rep. It is not a silver bullet. Without rehearsal the belief slips. With rehearsal, and with a coach who does not pretend stress is only sunshine, it is a reasonable module in a workplace programme. Certainty is moderate for immediate mindset change and low for durability, symptoms, performance and physiology.