Journal article
An exploratory study of students’ weekly stress levels and sources of stress during the semester
Active Learning in Higher Education, Vol.19(1), pp.61-75
2018
Abstract
Studying at university can be a very stressful experience. Although the literature provides some information regarding different sources of stress among students, studies have not addressed the issue of changes over the course progression. This study aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of the sources of stress for first-year students and whether these stressors are more prevalent at different times during the semester. A mixed-method approach was used. Content analysis was undertaken on longitudinal electronic message data, and thematic analysis was used for focus group data. Results indicated an increasing trend of stress over the semester. The major stressors identified were academic, financial/work, personal, family-related, interpersonal, social support, university/life balance and starting university. A number of stressors were found to be more prevalent at different times during the semester, including some academic-related stressors plus starting university, family-related and financial/work-related stressors. This is one of the few studies to examine the influence of timing of the levels of stress. Importantly, this study suggests that the start and end of the first semester constitute the riskiest periods for negative stress-related consequences. These results could be used to assist universities in developing student support programmes.
Details
- Title
- An exploratory study of students’ weekly stress levels and sources of stress during the semester
- Authors
- Adele Pitt (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringFlorin I Oprescu (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringGeraldine Tapia (Author) - University of Bourdeaux, FranceMarion Gray (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Active Learning in Higher Education, Vol.19(1), pp.61-75
- Publisher
- Sage Publications Ltd.
- DOI
- 10.1177/1469787417731194
- ISSN
- 1469-7874
- Organisation Unit
- Engage Research Lab; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Public Health
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451302102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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