Stress and related - factors of the first-year undergraduate students of Chulalongkorn University

Abstract

Background : Studying in a university is different from studying in high-school due to the fact that students have to do most of their duties compared to high-school studies. If students get a stressor, it will affect the way of their studies and lifestyle.

Objective : This study aims to determine the levels of stress and their associated factors among first-year undergraduate students of Chulalongkorn University.

Design : A cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting : All departments of Chulalongkorn University.

Materials and Methods : The data were randomly obtained from four hundred and eighteen first-year undergraduate students of every nineteen field department of Chulalongkorn University in academic year 2015. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect the data including personal data and source of stress and Suanprung Stress Test (modified). The stress level was presented as mean, standard deviation, proportion and percentage. The relationships between stress levels and their associated factors were analyzed by using chi-square test. Then logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of high- severe stress.

Results : The results showed that the average mean of Suanprung stress score was 48.2 (SD = 27.2, Min = 0, Max = 132); most subjects were in a severe stress level (32.1%). Multiple logistic regression analysis presented that factors predicting high or-severe level of stress were being unable to understand the lessons (OR = 2.00, 95% C.I. = 1.263 – 3.180, P = 0.003); lack of leisure time (OR = 1.47, 95% C.I. = 1.479 - 3.394, P = <0.001 ); and having conflicts with family members (OR = 12.74, 95% C.I.= 1.649 – 98.532, P = 0.015).

Conclusion : Most students had high to severe level of stress and the factors predicting high or-severe level of stress were: being unable to understand the lessons, lack of leisure time and having a conflict with family members. These results might be beneficial for the related departments and centers for providing a strategic
planning in order to solve and prevent the stress among firstyear students in the future.