Level of Psychological Stress in College Students with Relation to Academic Major
Presentation Type
Poster
Major
Mathematics
Abstract
Psychological stress is experienced when an individual feels incapable of coping with environmental demands or the impression that these demands tax and surpass his or her adaptive capacity (Sheldon, Kessler, & Gordon, 1995). Stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including emotional instability and physical symptoms. College students live under demanding conditions on account of the pressure they have to compete and achieve. This can contribute to stress and also lead to unhealthy behaviors. This study intended to create a comprehensive ranking of majors based on three types of psychological stress (environmental, psychological and biological) exerted on students. Applying theory and using validated measures, a ranking of majors is proposed on the grounds that it is an approximation of the actual levels of stress experienced by students. Results indicate that the three majors with the highest levels of stress are biology, communication, and theatre; and those with the lowest are psychology, mathematics, and music.
Faculty Mentor
Jennifer Harriger
Funding Source or Research Program
Keck Scholars Program
Location
Waves Cafeteria, Tyler Campus Center
Start Date
21-3-2014 2:00 PM
End Date
21-3-2014 3:00 PM
Level of Psychological Stress in College Students with Relation to Academic Major
Waves Cafeteria, Tyler Campus Center
Psychological stress is experienced when an individual feels incapable of coping with environmental demands or the impression that these demands tax and surpass his or her adaptive capacity (Sheldon, Kessler, & Gordon, 1995). Stress can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including emotional instability and physical symptoms. College students live under demanding conditions on account of the pressure they have to compete and achieve. This can contribute to stress and also lead to unhealthy behaviors. This study intended to create a comprehensive ranking of majors based on three types of psychological stress (environmental, psychological and biological) exerted on students. Applying theory and using validated measures, a ranking of majors is proposed on the grounds that it is an approximation of the actual levels of stress experienced by students. Results indicate that the three majors with the highest levels of stress are biology, communication, and theatre; and those with the lowest are psychology, mathematics, and music.