An Investigation of the Relationship Between Perceived Stress Levels and Health Behaviours

Allen, Aoife (2019) An Investigation of the Relationship Between Perceived Stress Levels and Health Behaviours. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Stress and its relationship with coping behaviours is often overlooked. The Lazarus theory explains that coping with stress can occur through many behaviours, but often maladaptive behaviours are more readily available to engage with. This current study seeks to examine the relationship between negative health behaviours and levels of perceived stress within an Irish third-level student population. Cross-sectional convenience sampling acquired a population of 84 participants who completed an online survey of their perceived stress levels along with various health behaviours. Behaviours including binge eating, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and exercise were investigated through methods of statistical analysis. The results found that stress was positively correlated with binge eating yet the other behaviours including alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and exercise did not show a significant relationship. Analysis of gender, employment status, age and stress as predictive factors for engagement with negative health behaviours were carried out yet no statistically significant result was present. Future research is necessary to understand the relationship between smoking and stress due to the lack of smokers within this population. Further research within this area can lead to developments in creating appropriate stress interventions for student populations.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology R Medicine > Healthcare Industry B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Stress (Psychology)
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Caoimhe Ní Mhaicín
Date Deposited:	29 May 2019 14:43
Last Modified:	29 May 2019 14:43
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/3768

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