Factors affecting academic stress: Comparison of students studying in Malaysia and Ireland

Kee, E Qing (2022) Factors affecting academic stress: Comparison of students studying in Malaysia and Ireland. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

Preview

PDF (Bachelor of Arts) Download (564kB) | Preview

Abstract

Aims: Stress may affect students’ mental health and their academic performance. This study focuses on academic stress (AS) in college students. Different factors were found in previous literature to affect AS in college students. This study aimed to examine the association between factors (self-esteem, depression, family support, and coping strategies) and AS. This study also aimed to examine the cultural differences across country of study to address literature gaps.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 70 college students from Malaysia and Ireland. A survey questionnaire was administered to participants through social media. It consisted of an informed consent, demographic questions, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Undergraduate Stress Questionnaire (USQ), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), the Brief-COPE Inventory (BCI) and a debriefing sheet.

Results: Majority of the respondents were females (60.0%) and age from 18 – 34 years (98.6%). Depression and emotion-focused coping are moderately, positively correlated with AS. Students studying in Ireland was found to score higher in AS than students studying in Malaysia (mean difference = 2.73). Depression (p = .011) and emotion-focused coping (p = .009) statistically predict AS. Age (beta = -.25, p = .027) and country of study (beta = .28, p = .013), after controlling for other variable, predicts AS with depression being the stronger predictor.

Conclusion: Results show students studying in Ireland reported higher AS, which was a surprise finding. The findings emphasize the need to recognize factors’ influence and cultural differences on AS. Implications for parties related to the student to reduce AS are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > DS Asia L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain > Ireland B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Stress (Psychology)
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Psychology
Depositing User:	Clara Chan
Date Deposited:	14 Jul 2022 08:47
Last Modified:	14 Jul 2022 08:47
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/5649

Actions (login required)

View Item