The Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index: Proof of Concept and Implications for Use

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index: Proof of Concept and Implications for Use
Language: English
Authors: Linden, Brooke (ORCID 0000-0002-8664-176X), Boyes, Randall, Stuart, Heather
Source: Journal of American College Health. 2022 70(2):469-477.
Availability: Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: College Students, Stress Variables, Test Validity, Severity (of Disability), Incidence, Foreign Countries, Gender Differences, Mental Health, Health Promotion, Student Characteristics, Barriers, College Environment, Interpersonal Relationship
Geographic Terms: Canada
DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1754222
ISSN: 0744-8481
Abstract: Objective: This study demonstrates the utility of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI), an instrument designed to identify and evaluate the sources of student stress. The PSSI is comprised of 46 stressors, rated by severity and frequency, across five domains: academics, learning environment, campus culture, interpersonal, and personal. Participants: Pilot testing of the tool was conducted among n = 535 post-secondary students enrolled at an Ontario university. Methods: Mean severity and frequency ratings were calculated for each stressor on the instrument. Results were plotted, and stratified by sex. T-tests for differences in means across sexes were calculated for each stressor. Results: Female students in this sample consistently rated nearly all stressors on the instrument as more severe than their male counterparts. Females also reported higher frequency ratings on average, indicating that they worried about stressors more often than did males. Domain-specific stressors are discussed. Conclusions: The PSSI can provide post-secondary institutions with the ability to improve the targeting of their mental health promotion and mental illness prevention efforts.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1335152
Database: ERIC
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Description
Abstract:Objective: This study demonstrates the utility of the Post-Secondary Student Stressors Index (PSSI), an instrument designed to identify and evaluate the sources of student stress. The PSSI is comprised of 46 stressors, rated by severity and frequency, across five domains: academics, learning environment, campus culture, interpersonal, and personal. Participants: Pilot testing of the tool was conducted among n = 535 post-secondary students enrolled at an Ontario university. Methods: Mean severity and frequency ratings were calculated for each stressor on the instrument. Results were plotted, and stratified by sex. T-tests for differences in means across sexes were calculated for each stressor. Results: Female students in this sample consistently rated nearly all stressors on the instrument as more severe than their male counterparts. Females also reported higher frequency ratings on average, indicating that they worried about stressors more often than did males. Domain-specific stressors are discussed. Conclusions: The PSSI can provide post-secondary institutions with the ability to improve the targeting of their mental health promotion and mental illness prevention efforts.
ISSN:0744-8481
DOI:10.1080/07448481.2020.1754222