College Women's Stress Levels, Health Behaviors, and Coping Strategies

Introduction: College students have been the focus of considerable stress research due to the prevalence and potential harm of stress. Various studies report that female college students experience more stress than men. However, less research has examined stress differences among women. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether female students with different stress levels behave, think, and cope with stress differently. Methods: In Fall 2008, 195 female students from a mid-size university participated in a cross-sectional survey utilizing the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II), and Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced Questionnaire (COPE). Results: Lower stressed females were more likely than higher stressed females to report practicing behaviors related to stress management, spiritual growth, nutrition, and interpersonal relationship, but not physical activity and health responsibility. Likewise, the study found a difference in stress coping strategies. Specifically, lower stressed females were more likely to take actions to change the stressful situation, think positively, and get support from others. They were less likely to engage in self-criticism. Conclusion: Behavioral and stress coping differences exist between higher and lower stressed female college students. The results of the study provide information about how to design a health education program related to stress management for female college students.