Stressors and Coping Strategies among Faculty of Nursing Students at AL –Hussein Bin Talal University- Jordan

Abstract

Stress and the identification of potential stressors among nursing students have received much attention in the literature. Student perception of high stress levels can lead to poor academic performance, depression, attrition and serious health problems. Effective coping strategies facilitate the return to a balanced state, reducing the negative effects of stress. The study aimed to recognize various stressors among faculty of nursing students and to explore various coping strategies utilized by students to deal with stressors. A descriptive comparative design was utilized in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at Faculty of Princess Aesheh Bint Al-Hussein for Nursing- AL –Hussein Bin Talal University in Jordan. Subjects: The subjects comprised of all students from 1st to 4th year who agreed to participate in the study. The total number was 175 students; 62 of them were from first grade, 40 from second grade, 36 from third grade and 37 from fourth grade. Tools: Student Stress Survey and the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences Inventory (ACOPE) were used to achieve the aims. Result: The most common intrapersonal sources of stress were new responsibilities (88.0%) and in sleeping habits (73.7%) and the most common academic sources of stress were lower grade than anticipated (86.9%) and increased class workload (86.3%). Concerning the environmental sources of stress, students reported car trouble (71.4%) and messy living conditions (64.6%) and the most common interpersonal source of stress was change in social activities (61.7%). Statistically significant differences were found between various grade students in relation to interpersonal and environmental sources of stress (p value was 0.043 and 0.013). As regards coping strategies, 56.0% of the sample reported using pray to cope with stressors, 54.3% and 53.1% reported try to keep up friendships or make new friends and say nice things to others often or always and 51.4% talk to a minister/priest/ rabbi. There are statistically significant differences between various grade students regarding use of seeking diversions and seeking professional support as coping strategies (p value = 0.029 & 0.014) respectively. Conclusion: Intrapersonal and academic stressors were the common stressors among faculty of nursing students. Praying, keeping up friendships or making new friends were the common used coping strategies to deal with stressors. There were statistically significant differences between various grade students regarding stressors and use of coping strategies. Recommendation: Psycho educational program about stress management techniques is essential to help students manage their stressors effectively.