Stress Health. 2013 Oct;29(4):275-85. doi: 10.1002/smi.2465. Epub 2012 Oct 01.

College student stressors: a review of the qualitative research.

Stress and health : journal of the International Society for the Investigation of Stress

Carrie S Hurst, Lisa E Baranik, Francis Daniel

PMID: 23023893 DOI: 10.1002/smi.2465

Abstract

A total of 40 qualitative studies were reviewed and coded according to the college student stressors they represented. These studies utilized a variety of qualitative methods to examine stressors representing the following themes: relationships, lack of resources, academics, the environment, expectations, diversity, transitions and other stressors. Relationship stressors were the most commonly reported theme and covered areas including stress associated with family, romantic, peer and faculty relationships. Three of the themes (relationships, diversity and other) are novel categories of stressors compared with quantitative reviews on the topic, highlighting the importance of gathering both quantitative and qualitative pieces of information. This review contributes to the stress literature by synthesizing and identifying trends in the qualitative student stress research.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: education; qualitative; review; stressor; student

MeSH terms

• Humans
• Psychology, Educational / methods
• Qualitative Research
• Social Adjustment*
• Social Environment*
• Stress, Psychological* / etiology
• Stress, Psychological* / prevention & control
• Stress, Psychological* / psychology
• Students / psychology

Publication Types

• Journal Article
• Review