Stress among mathayom suksa sixth students in admission to university in Bangkok

Abstract

Objective : The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the level of stress among Mathayom Suksa Sixth students in Bangkok in admission to university and its associated factors.

Materials and methods : A total of 534 students in 12 secondary schools were recruited (377 from 6 public schools, 90 from 4 private schools and 67 from 2 demonstration schools respectively). The research instruments were a demographic questionnaire, questionnaire about causes of stress and Health Opinion Survey (HOS).

Results : The results showed mean (SD) of the stress score of 34.2 (6.42) from the possible score of 20-60 where the higher score indicated higher stress. Multiple linear regression revealed that factors associated with an increased in stress were private school compared to public school and demonstration school, low GPA, being unprepared for
entrance examination and high parental expectation.

Conclusion : The implications of these findings are that schools should prepare students with such factors for possible stress reduction.