How problem focused and emotion focused coping affects college students’ perceived stress and life satisfaction
Authors
Ryan, Kate
Issue Date
2013
Degree
BA (Hons) in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the coping strategies adopted by college students in Ireland and how these coping strategies affect student’s levels of perceived stress and life satisfaction. Data from 150 college students (male=74,female=76) was used throughout the study which required each participant to complete an online questionnaire which consisted of a consent form, a brief demographics questionnaire, a modified version of the brief cope, the perceived stress scale and the satisfaction with life scale. The results found that college student in Ireland, both male and female, are experiencing stress levels above average and have average life satisfaction levels. Female students were found to be significantly more stressed than males who were found to engage in more active emotion focused coping than females. High usage of avoidant focused coping mechanisms was significantly related to high levels of stress and lower life satisfaction. Author keywords: life satisfaction, stress, problem focused coping, emotion focused coping