IQRA UNIVERSITY IU

PSYCHOLOGY

LEVEL AND CAUSES OF

STRESS IN UNIVERSITY
STUDENTS

SUBMITTED TO:

Ms. Najmunnisa

SUBMITTED BY:

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 Naima Jabir (2732)

May 11, 2010

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to those who have contributed
either directly or indirectly to this report.

I am thankful to ALLAH ALMIGHTY who has enabled me with the

strength, knowledge and wisdom to carry out this research.

I also wish to express gratitude and thankfulness to Ms. Najmunnisa;

under whose guidance this research is completed. I am grateful to her
for constant advice and inspiration with out which this project could not
have been completed.

I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of students of my

university, Iqra University, without their help I would not have been
able to collect the data.

Finally I want to express my deep gratitude to my parents, family

and friends; their moral support and prayers made it easy for me to
complete this research project.

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 Naima

ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study is to examine the causes and stress level
of university students according to certain variables. The participants are
students attending different classes in Iqra University Gulshan Campus
(IUGC). The method of investigation was a questionnaire comprising of
both open ended and closed ended questions. In the first part of the
scale; gender, age etc are asked to collect demographic information of
the subjects. Second part of questionnaire stress level and causes are
studied by the help of questions designed by us. Data is analyzed using
percentage and graphs.

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CONTENT

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 5

LITERATURE REVIEW 8

METHODOLOGY 12

RESULTS 14

REFERENCES 24

ANNEXURE 25

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 SECTION I

INTRODUCTION

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BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The present study was aimed at exploring the relationship of general life stress, levels of stress
and stress coping strategies among university students. The study further investigated the gender
differences, educational differences and age differences on stress and coping strategies among
university students.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Our study is based on the stresses that are faced by the students in their university life. Personal
and psychological problems interfere with innumerable aspects of a student's life, causing
significant impairment and distress.
Attending to these mental health concerns, psychotherapy represents a viable mechanism in
providing support and guidance across cognitive, affective, and spiritual dimensions within a
confidential and safe environment.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the causes and level of stress among university students?

SIGNIFICANCE OF REPORT

With the result of present study it was concluded that level of stress is high among university
students as compare to other levels of education. These findings point out towards the causes of
stress present in university of stress that must be coping by removing the problems of students.
So, university student must be given the opportunities to cope and use a wide variety of
measures to maximize stress and overcoming those problems which create stress.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The area of stress in university students has not been explored in Pakistan, in this regard, the
present research calls attention to overall need for further research in this area. There is need to
encourage the researchers to explore this important area, which has a great influence on students
level of stress, and coping strategies.

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SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Scope of the study is limited to the students and teachers of IUGC only.

LIMITATION

Like others researches in the social sciences, present research has also encountered with some
limitations.

1. This study is limited to Iqra University Gulshan Campus students. Further studies can be
done in different universities to compare the results.

2. Studies can be done to compare the stress levels of government and private university
students’ stress levels

3. This study’s sample is university students. Further studies can be done in different
educational levels.

4. This study is done in Pakistan. Similar studies can be done in other countries or cross-
cultural studies can be done.

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 SECTION II

LITERATURE REVIEW

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INTRODUCTION

Stress is seen as modern society’s illness by professionals from different sectors. Stress has
effects on people’s behaviors, communications and efficiency. Stress is not only a factor in
working places; it is also common factor in educational environments experienced by students.

Stress is first defined by Hans Selye (1977) while searching for female hormones. Before
Selye, the term “stress” was used to describe a mental strain or unwelcome happening.

Selye demonstrated that stress weakened rats’ immunity. Stress has become a universal
explanation for human behaviour in industrial societies (Viner, 1999).

Walter Cannon defined stress as “an external factor affecting bodily homeostasis”. Cannon,
introducing the term “homeostasis” and “fight or flight” response to stress is believed to do the
first researches about stress (Şahin, 1998; Viner, 1999).

Although the term stress has first shown up in physiology. Today, there are many definitions of
stress in many areas. According to Robbins, “stress is a dynamic condition in which an
individual is confronted with an opportunity, constraint or demand related to what he or she
desires and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important” (Robbins,
1996).

Stress is a negative emotional experience, accompanied by predictable physiological, cognitive

and behavioral changes that are directed either toward altering stressful circumstances or
accommodating to its effects.

TYPES OF STRESS
There are four main types of stress that people experience.
Eustress
Eustress is a type of short-term stress that provides immediate strength. Eustress arises at
points of increased physical activity, enthusiasm, and creativity. Eustress is a positive stress
that arises when motivation and inspiration are needed. A gymnast experiences Eustress before
a competition.
Distress
Distress is a negative stress brought about by constant readjustments or alterations in a routine.
Distress creates feelings of discomfort and unfamiliarity. There are two types of distress.
Acute stress is an intense stress that arrives and disappears quickly. Chronic stress is a

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prolonged stress that exists for weeks, months, or even years. Someone who is constantly
relocating or changing jobs may experience distress.
Hyperstress
Hyperstress occurs when an individual is pushed beyond what he or she can handle.
Hyperstress results from being overloaded or overworked. When someone is hyper stressed,
even little things can trigger a strong emotional response. A Wall Street trader is likely to
experience Hyperstress.
Hypostress
Hypostress is the opposite of Hyperstress. Hypostress occurs when an individual is bored or
unchallenged. People who experience Hypostress are often restless and uninspired. A factory
worker who performs repetitive tasks might experience Hypostress.

SOURCES OF STRESS

Sources of stress are mainly divided into two:

1. Environmental Factors
2. Individual Factors

1. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

There are environmental uncertainties that create stress: economical, technical and political
uncertainties.

2. INDIVIDUAL FACTORS

Some people are more prone to stress which can be explained by individual differences such
as family problems, economical problems and personality.

• Perception:

Stress does not lie in the objective condition of environmental or individual basis but the
perception or the interpretation of the person (Baltaş and Baltaş, 2000).

• Social support:

It is important for a human whether the social needs are satisfied through others: existence of
social relations, their structure, support systems, their socio emotional, instrumental and
informational dimensions (Anesthal, 1992).

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 • Believing in Locus of Control:

Believing in external locus of control creates more stress (Sayıner, 2003).

• Hostility:

Type A personality is characterized by feeling a chronic sense of time urgency and by an

excessive competitive drive. Therefore Type A personality is believed to live more stress in
comparison to type B Type A personality is generally has speed in speech and actions
(Baltaş and Baltaş, 2000).

Stress may not only result from the physical threatening conditions but also from
misinterpretations or misunderstandings of the information’s coming from outside world (Baltaş
and Baltaş, 2000). There are physical, psychological and behavioral symptoms. Stress can not
only be studied in laboratory conditions. Stressful life events delayed effects of stressful life
experiences can also be studied though questionnaires or interviews.

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 SECTION III

METHODOLOGY

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OBJECTIVES

• To measure the levels and causes of stress of university students.

RESEARCH DESIGN

As it is the analysis of fact and data so it is Quantitative Research. In this survey, questionnaire
serves as the data collection tool.

• Questionnaire (12) question has been used as data collecting instrument

• This instrument has been pilot tested and screened out in order to ensure validity and
reliability.

TECHNIQUE

The technique used for this research is survey through questionnaire.

POPULATION

A sample of 20 students was randomly selected from Iqra University, Gulshan Campus.
The sample consisted of both male and female students, (50% male and 50% female). The age
range of students was 18-28 years.

DATA ANALYSIS METHOD

The method used for data analysis is percentage and graphical representation for close ended
question and thematic analysis for the open ended questions.

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SECTION IV

RESULT

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 1. Is education the basic reason of increasing stress in university students?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

Strongly Agree-90%
Disagree-5%
Agree- 5%
Strongly Disagree-0%

2. Will the girl’s student score higher on level of stress as compared to boy
students?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

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Agree-45%
Strongly Agree-43%
Disagree-10%
Strongly Disagree-2%

3. Do you think university students will show higher level of stress as compare to
college students?

• Yes
• No
• Don’t know

Yes-85%
No-10%
Don’t Know-5%

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 1. Will a university student show higher level of stress because of economical
problems?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

Strongly Agree-25%
Disagree-15%
Agree- 25%
Strongly Disagree-35%

5-To what extent do university students face stress due to high expectations from their parents?

• To a great extent
• To some extent
• To little extent

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To Some Extent-38%
To Great Extent-50%
To Little Extent-12%

6-Is examination system the biggest reason of stress among university students?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

Strongly Agree-60%
Disagree-15%
Agree-15%
Strongly Disagree-10%

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 7- Are unexpected quizzes and presentations a cause of stress for you?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

Strongly Agree-35%
Disagree-35%
Agree-25%
Strongly Disagree-5%

8-Is there someone who is bullying you in the university? Does it increase your level of stress?

• Yes
• No

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 Yes-54%
No-46%

THEMATIC RESEARCH
9. How stressful is it for you to decide about your majors?

Surprisingly all of the students replied to this question positively; students of Iqra
University Gulshan Campus don’t find it difficult to decide about their majors as they are
well aware of their goals.

10. What are some of the stress you undergo in your university life? What are some of the
possible causes?

Most of the students believed that their parent’s expectation is the major cause of stress
for them. They believe that the high expectation from their parents causes them stress.
More over, few students of the university are not satisfied with the grading criteria in

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 some of the courses. The lack of guidance and counseling services is also the cause of
stress for few students mainly female.

11. Do you think the teachers of your university treat all student’s equally? Does your
teachers’ attitude causes you stress?

Majority of the students of the university are contended with their teachers; none of the
student had complains about any of their teacher.

12. Are you satisfied with the environment of your university? Any complains.
None of the students had any sort of complain with the environment of the university; all
of them believed that the environment of IUGC is way much better than most of the
universities of Karachi.

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 REFRENCES

• Robbins, S., (1996), “Organizational Behaviour”, Prentice Hall

International Editions, 7th Edition.

• Selye, H., (1977), “School Guidance Worker”, 32, 5, 5-13.

• http://www.thehealthcenter.info/teen-stress/types-of-stress.htm

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ANNEXURE

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 LEVEL OF STRESS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

This questionnaire is designed to find out “the causes and level of stress in university students”.
The statements in the questionnaire describe the level of stress.
Please answer the following questions. Your data from your replies is collected only for research
purpose.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

NAME: …………………………………………………………………
AGE: ……………………………………………………………………
GENDER: ……………………………………………………………………

QUESTIONS:

1. Is education the basic reason of increasing stress in university students?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

1. Will the girl’s student score higher on level of stress as compared to boy
students?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

1. Do you think university students will show higher level of stress as compare to college students?

• Yes
• No

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 • Don’t know

1. Will a university student show higher level of stress because of economical problems?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

1. To what extent do university students face stress due to high expectations from their parents?

• To a great extent
• To some extent
• To little extent

1. Is examination system the biggest reason of stress among university students?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

1. Are unexpected quizzes and presentations a cause of stress for you?

• Strongly disagree
• Disagree
• Agree
• Strongly agree

1. Is there someone who is bullying you in the university? Does it increase your level of stress?

• Yes
• No

1. How stressful is it for you to decide about your majors?

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2. What are some of the stress you undergo in your university life? What are some of the possible
causes?
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3. Do you think the teachers of your university treat all student’s equally? Does your teachers’ attitude
causes you stress?
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4. Are you satisfied with the environment of your university? Any complains.

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Thank you for taking the time to fill in the questionnaire.

_________________________________

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