Physical Activity and Coping Tactics in Undergraduate Students

Research suggests that college student stress has risen drastically over the past 30 years. Thus, it is important for students to have effective coping mechanisms in place. There are a variety of ways to cope with stress, some more effective than others, but research on which methods are the most effective for college students is lacking. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of different coping mechanisms on college student stress levels. In particular, we will evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity as a coping mechanism for college students. Introductory Psychology students at a large metropolitan university in the Pacific Northwest will be surveyed. Students will complete A Quantitative Assessment of Stress Tolerance (Helen, 2014) survey, which will help determine what is causing students stress and how physical activity compares to other forms of coping mechanisms