Effectiveness of combined training of philosophy for children and empathy program on Academic Stress in students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a combined training philosophy for children and empathy program on academic atress among male elementary school students. This semi-experimental research employed a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population consisted of ۹- to ۱۲-year-old male students in the elementary grades of Nourabad during the ۲۰۲۴–۲۰۲۵ academic year. Using convenience sampling, ۳۰ students with high levels of stress were selected and randomly assigned to experimental (n = ۱۵) and control (n = ۱۵) groups. The experimental group received a combined intervention of Philosophy for Children and empathy skills training in ten ۶۰-minute sessions. After the intervention, both groups completed the Academic Stress Questionnaire developed by Zajacova et al. (۲۰۰۵). The data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The results indicated that the intervention significantly reduced stress levels in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < ۰.۰۱).