Academic and Non-Academic Stress of College Students Enrolled in Physical Activity Classes

Presenter Information

Lauren Kizlik, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU 201

Start Date

10-4-2018 1:05 PM

End Date

10-4-2018 2:05 PM

Student's Major

Human Performance

Student's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Mentor's Name

Jessica Albers

Mentor's Department

Human Performance

Mentor's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Description

PURPOSE: To explore demographic differences among students enrolled in physical activity classes and to examine how stress changes in comparison with changes in physical activity over time.

METHODS: Participants (n=46) completed consent forms, a demographics questionnaire, and two surveys which were sent out electronically through Qualtrics during the first, ninth, and fifteenth week of the semester. The surveys assessed academic (Academic Stress Scale) and non-academic (Perceived Stress PSS-10) stress. Between group differences were analyzed using ANOVA's in SPSS. RESULTS: Females reported higher perceived stress than males at time-point (tp) 1 (p = .030). Female students reported higher academic stress levels compared to male students at tp 1 (p = .034). Academic stress compared with school year showed sophomores reported more academic stress at tp 2 (p = .034) and tp 3 (p = .047). Students identifying as age 21- 22 years reported more academic stress than other age groups at tp 3 (p = .012). Non-white students reported more academic stress at tp 2 than white students (p = .002). Academic stress was higher than perceived stress at tp 1 (p = .001) and tp 3 (p = .000).

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can be used to reach students who's major may not require physical activity classes, as well as indications of how college students may be utilizing exercise as a “de-stressing tool”.