College Student’s Perceived Symptoms of Stress
in Relation to Academic Stressors
Brooke Edwards, Lindsay Vesling, Rita Knarrenborg
Department of Health Sciences
Introduction
 Stress: a state of mental or emotional strain or
tension resulting from adverse or very
demanding circumstances
 Problem Statement: College males experience
stress on a daily basis that can have a negative
impact on their studies and other aspects of their
college experience. This stress needs to be
identified by its presenting symptoms and coping
mechanisms should be understood.
Research Purpose
• This study aims to identify the physical and
psychological symptoms of stress among college
male students
Research Questions
1. What are some physical symptoms of stress
among college male students?
2. What are some psychological symptoms of
stress among college male students?
Literature
• Gadzella, B.M., Masten, W.G., Zascavage, V. (March 2009).
Differences among Three Groups of Men on Stress and Learning
Processes.
– Mildly stressed males processed information and retained facts better
than moderately or severely stressed males.
• Pedersen, D. (September 2012). Stress Carry-Over and College
Student Health Outcomes.
– Male students experienced more days of poor mental health versus
poor physical health and were more stressed because of academics
versus family stressors.
• Rice,K. G. , VanArsdale, A.C. (October 2010). Perfectionism,
Perceived Stress, Drinking to Cope, and Alcohol Related Problems
among College Student.
– Non-perfectionists experienced less stress and maladaptive
perfectionists were more likely to use alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Method
Research Design: It was a descriptive study that
explored the different types of symptoms that are
related to academic stressors among college male
students.
Subjects: A convenient sample of one hundred male
college students from a private university located in
Southern California.
Procedures: During March of 2014, participants were
recruited at various locations on campus to partake
in a three page long survey questionnaire that asked
participants their perceived symptoms in relation to
academic stressors.
Results
Reported Symptoms of Stress
Surge of overwhelming panic (n=37)
Feeling of losing control (n=36)
16%
22%
Heart palpitations (n=8)
Feeling like you're going to pass out
(n=4)
Trouble breathing (n=3)
15%
Hyperventilation (n=4)
Hot flashes or chills (n=12)
21%
8%
Trembling or shaking (n=14)
Nausea or stomach cramps (n=26)
Feeling detached or unreal (n=27)
7%
2% 2% 2%
5%
Physical Symptoms
Results
Disrupted Sleep Patterns
Inability to Focus
1-3 days per week
1-3 days per week
4-7 days per week
4-7 days per week
Every other week
Every other week
Once a month
Once a month
Less than once a
month
Less than once a
month
Psychological Symptoms
n=36
n=37
n= 27
Surge of overwhelming
panic
Feeling detached or
unreal
Feeling of losing control
Conclusion
1. Disrupted Sleep
2. Inability to Focus
3. Surges of
Overwhelming Panic
4. Feeling as if they are
losing control
5. Feeling detached or
unreal
Recommendations
 For Students:
– Seek Spiritual Health
 For Administrators:
– Periodical
announcement to
classes that counseling
services are available on
campus
References
Gadzella, B. M. (March 2009). Differences among Three
Groups of Men on Stress and Learning Processes.
Individual Differences Research, 7(9), 29-39.
Pedersen, D. (September 2012). Stress Carry-Over and
College Student Health Outcomes. College Student
Journal, 46(3), 620-628.
Rice, K. G. (October 2010). Perfectionosm, Perceived
Stress, Drinking to Cope, and Alcohol Related Problems
among College Students. Journal of Counseling
Psychology, 57(4), 439-450.