Development of the Undergraduate Sources of Stress Questionnaire

Abstract

The aim of this research was to develop and trial a questionnaire to assess sources of stress in undergraduate students. The questionnaire was developed on the basis of research literature on sources of stress in students and was administered to 65 recent graduates and 320 undergraduates in physiotherapy and podiatry. The questionnaire was revised after each administration. On the basis of a factor analysis, three subscales emerged. The internal consistency of these subscales was moderate to good. The final Undergraduate Sources of Stress Questionnaire, which is reproduced in this article, consists of 18 items in three subscales – academic demands, financial issues and personal issues – and is suitable for undergraduates in various disciplines.