HBCU undergraduate students’ perceived stress management and coping skills

Abstract

College students in U.S. higher education institutions experience stress and anxiety. The psychological problems students encounter are roadblocks to college success. Due to historical and socio-economic factors, minority students are more susceptible to stress and psychological needs compared to their White American peers. This research focuses on African American students’ perceived stress and management. Fourteen African American students from an HBCU (historically Black colleges and university) have participated in the study. The perceived stress and coping strategies of African American students, as well as social and emotional support needed in dealing with stress, and stress caused by societal factors, are identified and discussed. More research needs to be conducted on how to prevent, detect, and treat mental health problems of college students, especially among minority college students.