Date of Award
2007
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This study examines stress in first-year college students at a faith-based institution and to determine whether social support, gender, involvement in intercollegiate athletics, academic achievement, or religiosity were factors that affect or buffer the negative effects of stress. Using data collected from approximately 200 first-year students at a Midwestern faith-based institution, the study investigated particular student and social support factors that may be associated with the kind of stress that can prevent students from achieving to their potential. Internal-reliability tests and factor analyses revealed two distinct forms of stress, one labeled internally-sourced stressors and the other externally-sourced stressors. Regressing the independent variables on each of these forms of stress revealed that self-esteem support was the only form of support that affected both forms of stress and had a negative relationship with each. Belonging support was negatively associated with internally-sourced stress while appraisal support was negatively associated with externally-sourced stress. Tangible support was not significantly associated with either form of stress. Women were found to have significantly higher levels of both forms of stress while GPA was negatively associated with internally-sourced stress but not related to externally-sourced stress. Neither athletics nor religiosity was significantly associated with either form of stress. The implications of these findings for academic and student affairs interventions at faith-based institutions are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Coffey, Ron L., "Perceived Stress Among First -Year Students At A Private, Faith-Based College" (2007). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1031.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1031