Investigating the Relationship between Perceived Stress Levels and Lifestyle Behaviours amongst Third Level College Students

Mc Laughlin, Shauna (2021) Investigating the Relationship between Perceived Stress Levels and Lifestyle Behaviours amongst Third Level College Students. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Aims: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between a combination of lifestyle behaviours including sleep quality, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption on the outcome of stress. A secondary aim of the research was to determine whether there were differences between groups on the outcome of stress. Research has shown that lifestyle behaviours often coexist, despite this, little research examines the interrelationship of lifestyle behaviours amongst college students.

Methods: Each participant (n = 263) completed five questionnaires examining their stress levels and each lifestyle behaviours using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Godin’s leisure-time exercise questionnaire, a smoking questionnaire and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT).

Results: Findings from a Multiple Regression analysis revealed that exercise was the only significant predictor of stress. An independent samples t-test also found that smokers score significantly higher in the PSS than non-smokers. A one-way between-groups ANOVA revealed that stress levels were significantly higher amongst those who were insufficiently active compared to those who were active. No lifestyle behaviour alone predicted stress to a greater extent than a combination, although Sleep Quality alone predicted stress to the same extent as the overall model.

Conclusion: Findings provide greater insight into the cumulative effects of lifestyle behaviours and their impact on stress. Implications are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Lifestyle behaviours; Perceived stress; Inter-relationship; Group differences; Students health
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Stress (Psychology)
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2021 09:54
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2021 15:20
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4952

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