Disciplines
Public Health
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This study will explore the intricate relationship between student stress and its impact on physical health. It will explore how stressors such as academic pressures, jobs, and lengthy commutes impact physiological manifestations and various aspects of physical well-being in students. The literature this research builds upon is diverse, ranging from in-depth looks at how the body responds to stress, such as the actions of the brain when under stress, to how stress causes disturbances in sleep, diet, and physical activity. For this specific research, physical health will be defined as sleep schedule, frequency of sickness, and daily fatigue. There will be an evidence review to identify the relationship between chronic stress and physical health as well as identify gaps in the literature as it pertains to student stress. After this evidence is reviewed, a survey instrument will be developed to examine the relationship using validated tools. This will be administered to students via convenience sampling methods and a sample of no less than 50 participants. The data will then be collected and analyzed by researchers using a variety of statistical analyses to determine the relationship. It is anticipated that student stress will have a negative impact on each of the physical health dimensions identified for this research, which will inform future recommendations for research and practice in this area. This research should highlight the need for a more holistic approach to a student’s well-being, such as introducing and practicing coping strategies that will address both academic stressors and their physiological effects. This research hopes to contribute to the continuing development of support systems and interventions that help students become healthier and more resilient in the face of their stressors.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mari-Amanda Dyal
Included in
The Impact of Student Stress on Physical Wellbeing
This study will explore the intricate relationship between student stress and its impact on physical health. It will explore how stressors such as academic pressures, jobs, and lengthy commutes impact physiological manifestations and various aspects of physical well-being in students. The literature this research builds upon is diverse, ranging from in-depth looks at how the body responds to stress, such as the actions of the brain when under stress, to how stress causes disturbances in sleep, diet, and physical activity. For this specific research, physical health will be defined as sleep schedule, frequency of sickness, and daily fatigue. There will be an evidence review to identify the relationship between chronic stress and physical health as well as identify gaps in the literature as it pertains to student stress. After this evidence is reviewed, a survey instrument will be developed to examine the relationship using validated tools. This will be administered to students via convenience sampling methods and a sample of no less than 50 participants. The data will then be collected and analyzed by researchers using a variety of statistical analyses to determine the relationship. It is anticipated that student stress will have a negative impact on each of the physical health dimensions identified for this research, which will inform future recommendations for research and practice in this area. This research should highlight the need for a more holistic approach to a student’s well-being, such as introducing and practicing coping strategies that will address both academic stressors and their physiological effects. This research hopes to contribute to the continuing development of support systems and interventions that help students become healthier and more resilient in the face of their stressors.