Introduction: Stress among undergraduate students has become a significant concern in higher education due to its detrimental effects on their health and academic performance. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of stress among students pursuing their undergraduate education in a college in Kerala. By exploring the association between various sociodemographic variables and stress levels and identifying the relationship between different risk factors and stress, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to stress among undergraduate students.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 133 undergraduate students. Convenience sampling was utilized to select the participants. A pre-designed closed-ended questionnaire, specifically tailored for this study, was employed to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of relevant items related to stress experienced by undergraduate students. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed on the collected data, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.
Results: The findings of this study revealed that among the study participants, 19% of undergraduate students experienced high perceived stress, 67% experienced moderate stress, and 13% experienced low-stress levels. A statistically significant association was observed between reduced appetite and perceived stress (p-value = 0.014). Additionally, statistically significant associations were found between stress and poor relationships with faculties (p-value = 0.003), the warden (p-value = 0.01), family members (p-value = 0.003), facing time pressure (p-value = 0.006), heavy workloads (p-value = 0.029), fear of failure (p-value = 0.002), suffering from frequent exams (p-value = 0.003), and exam patterns and curriculum (p-value = 0.024).
Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the considerable prevalence of stress among undergraduate students, with the majority falling into the category of moderate stress levels. It is imperative to prioritize undergraduate students’ mental and physical well-being by incorporating counseling services and preventive mental health programs as integral components of routine clinical services. Encouraging students to engage in regular physical exercise, maintain balanced nutrition, foster positive relationships with peers, family, faculty, and college staff, ensure adequate sleep, and participate in extracurricular activities can significantly reduce stress levels. By addressing these factors, educational institutions can foster a supportive learning environment that promotes undergraduate students’ overall health and well-being.
