Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Coping Mechanisms and Perceived Stress for College Students

Publication Date

Fall 11-24-2025

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Science, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Jessica Hocking

Presentation Type

Metadata Only

Abstract

The current study aims to evaluate the relationship between perceived stress and coping mechanisms in college students. Stress is particularly common in periods of transition, such as from high school into college. Perceived stress can be increased or decreased by the method of coping skills utilized. Previous research indicates that adaptive coping skills are often problem-focused and can decrease perceived stress, while maladaptive coping like avoidance can increase perceived stress and lead to further negative consequences for the student. However, traditionally maladaptive coping mechanisms can be useful for certain situations, such as navigating a novel experience. Therefore, we tested three hypotheses, that utilization of multiple coping mechanisms will correlate to lower perceived stress, that participants who spend more time practicing coping mechanisms will have lower perceived stress and that participants who spend more time using avoidance coping mechanisms will have higher perceived stress in comparison to using approach or problem-focused coping mechanisms. Forty (N= 40) college students' responses were analyzed from survey questions regarding both perceived stress and coping mechanisms. The scales used were the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the COPE inventory. Results from all correlation analyses were not statistically significant, so no particular correlational relationship was found. This is likely due to the small sample size of our study. However, education surrounding all coping mechanisms could still decrease some of the perceived stress college students experience.

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Oral presentation SURS

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