Level of Stress, Stressors and Coping Strategies among Engineering College Students

Abstract: College life is one of the most scintillating and memorable experience in an adolescent?s life. They are exposed to a considerable amount of stress, which necessities successful and constantly changing coping strategy. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of stress, stressors and the various coping strategies used by the students from selected Engineering Colleges of Vellore District. Total enumerative sampling technique was used and the data were collected from 151 students from engineering colleges situated in rural areas. The instruments used to collect data were demographic proforma, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Sources of Stress Questionnaire and Brief COPE scale. The findings revealed that majority of the students (66.2%) perceived moderate amount of stress, used various coping strategies like self-distraction and positive reframing to manage stress. The study also revealed that financial difficulties, worrying about the future and the study in general were their major sources of stress. The results of the study indicate the urgent need for the community health nurses and the management of the engineering colleges to take appropriate interventions to reduce the stress and thereby to improve the mental health of the students.