Abstract

BackgroundMany college students register each semester for courses, leading to productive careers and fulfilled lives. During this time, the students have to manage many stressors stemming from academic, personal, and, sometimes, work lives. Students, who lack appropriate stress management skills, may find it difficult to balance these responsibilities.ObjectivesThis study examined stress, coping mechanisms, and gender differences in undergraduate students towards the end of the semester.Design and methodUniversity students (n = 448) enrolled in three different undergraduate exercise science courses were assessed. Two instruments, the Perceived Stress Scale and Brief Cope, were administered during the twelfth week of the semester, four weeks prior to final exams. T-tests were used to detect gender differences for the stress levels and coping strategies.ResultsOverall, females indicated higher levels of stress than their male counterparts. Gender differences were evident in both coping dimensions and individual coping strategies used. Females were found to utilize the emotion-focused coping dimension and endorsed the use of four coping strategies more often than males. These included self-distraction, emotional support, instrumental support, and venting.ConclusionsThis research adds to the existing literature by illuminating the level of perceived stress and different coping strategies used by undergraduate female and male students. In turn, students may need educational interventions to develop effective and healthy coping strategies to last a lifetime. Faculty and other university officials may want to highlight and understand these various factors to protect the students’ wellbeing in their classes.

Highlights

  • College students are challenged with having to keep up with the high demands required to thrive in the university environment

  • This study examined stress, coping mechanisms, and gender differences in undergraduate students towards the end of the semester

  • Gender differences were evident in both coping dimensions and individual coping strategies used

Read more

Summary

Introduction

College students are challenged with having to keep up with the high demands required to thrive in the university environment To meet these demands, students must be able to work and function under pressure. Stressors are derived from academia load, classroom environment, faculty interaction, illness, and emotional concerns outside of the classroom [1]. Often, these high-pressured lifestyles can lead to higher stress levels. Many college students register each semester for courses, leading to productive careers and fulfilled lives During this time, the students have to manage many stressors stemming from academic, personal, and, sometimes, work lives. Students, who lack appropriate stress management skills, may find it difficult to balance these responsibilities

Objectives
Discussion
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.