Abstract

This experimental study sought to determine whether undergraduate academic major correlated with a student’s level of perceived stress. To assess level of stress, a survey was given to 57 undergraduate students at Eastern Kentucky University. Students from six different majors participated. The majors included were Elementary Education, Public Health, Graphic Design, Physics, Chemistry, and Fire Protection and Safety Engineering. As an addition to the survey, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was attached to obtain a quantifiable measurement of stress level. The Perceived Stress Scale is used to measure the degree to which situations in an individual’s life are determined to be stressful. Because the amount of stress and ability to cope tend to go hand and hand, the survey also assessed coping strategies used among the participants. It was hypothesized that undergraduate students who are in a science major will have a higher perceived stress level than students who are in an Arts, Social science, or Education major. Coping strategies of students were also analyzed to determine if undergraduates were coping effectively with the amount of stress with which they were presented. Data was compiled descriptively and comparatively. The hypothesis was partially confirmed. This is due to the fact that there was a large variance in the scores of the “soft” science majors.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 5-7-2018

Mentor

Rachael Hovermale

Mentor Professional Affiliation

Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing

Access Options

Restricted Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelor's

Department

Health Promotion and Administration

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

1347

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