DIFFERENCE IN PERCEIVED STRESS LEVEL AS A FUNCTION OF ACADEMIC FIELDS ON STUDY

Abstract

Stress is a universal problem that, everyone can face at some point in our daily lives. Students are a unique group of individuals who face stress at certain point of academic lifetime. The aim of this study was to assess the difference in the extent of stress as function of academic field of study by comparing students in different departments. Comparative descriptive approach with inferential statistics and random sampling method used as tool of study. Data has been collected by using questioner. The research data were analyzed quantitatively using statically package for social sciences. Medical students, Civil engineering, English language, Architecture, International relations and tourism management students report a high level of perceived stress level. The study result shows that there is no statistical difference in perceived stress level among different academic field of students. This indicates that different academic field of students experience almost the same level of stress. The finding of study indicate that academic of study has low effect on the perceived stress level of students; environmental source of stress were most common stressors in the seven different department study and intrapersonal stressors were the least source of stress among the seven department students. The researcher therefore recommends that, implementation of comprehensive stress management program as most of students experience high level of perceived stress and university administration; counselors need to explore strategies to improve the campus environment.