Following the completion of the post-tests, participants’ results were compared to the
pre-test scores using a comparison of means—to test for the extent of the change in perceived
stress following the intervention—as seen in Table 1. In addition, a paired-samples t-test was
utilized to assess the statistical significance between pre- and post-tests. The mean for
participants’ pre-test scores was 19.5, with a standard deviation of 7.85. The mean for post-test
scores was 13.75, with a standard deviation of 7.85. The difference was set at 95% for the
paired-samples t-test, meaning there is a 5% chance that the disparity between pre- and post-test
results is a product of chance. The difference between pre-test scores and post-test scores was
not found to be statistically significant, t(3) = 1.60, p =.21 (see Table 2). Therefore, the
hypothesis—students’ perceived stress scores will decrease following participation in a five week psychoeducational counseling group—was unable to be affirmed, given the lack of
statistical significance. The research question—does group counseling impact the stress level of
high school seniors who are undecided about their post secondary plans?—was also not
confirmed via statistical significance. Participants’ PSS scores decreased by an average of
29.49% following the intervention.