Stress Perceptions and Management Methods Amongst University Students

There are certain aspects in the life of a university student that are known to contribute to their overall stress levels. These stressors may include finances, relationships, course load, and work responsibilities. Understanding effective methods of stress mitigation is essential for the well-being of university students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess stress levels among selected university students and coping mechanisms used to mitigate stress. Data was collected using two validated instruments from approximately 250 students attending three different general education classes. Descriptive statistics were used to assess survey items and a series of Independent Samples t-tests were used to assess differences in coping strategy use between those who were and were not classified as being stressed. Results indicated that slightly less than half of the participants were classified as stressed. Participants meeting the criteria for being stressed had higher scores for unhealthy coping strategies while those not currently stressed showed higher scores in health- conducive coping mechanisms. Additionally, the research showed that there are indeed a number of coping strategies more frequently used by university students overall. The results of this study can assist health professionals in recommending effective stress coping strategies for students