See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/337887989

Academic Stress Among 10 th Class Students

Article in Journal of Psychiatric Nursing · December 2019

DOI: 10.21088/jpn.2277.9035.8319.2

CITATIONS READS
4 6,431

1 author:

Betty Koshy
Parul University
5 PUBLICATIONS 8 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Betty Koshy on 11 December 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Original Article Journal of Psychiatric Nursing
Volume 8 Number 3 September – December 2019
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/jpn.2277.9035.8319.2

Academic Stress Among 10th Class Students

Betty Koshy

Abstract

Context: Stress is a universal phenomenon that is experienced by the person in all ages and stages of life. Stress is
personal that is each person react to stressors in a different way which is influenced by various factors. Academic
stress is stress and anxiety that comes from schooling and education. Academic stress can be better termed as
stress due to failure to fulfil academic expectations. Aims: The present study was done with the aim to assess the
level of academic stress and to explore the possible factors leading to stress. Settings and Design: The study was
conducted in tuition classes of 10th students. Materials and Methods: The sample size for the present study was 100
and samples were selected by convenient sampling technique. The research design selected for the present study
Descriptive–Exploratory. Statistical analysis used: The investigator planned to analyze the data by using descriptive
and inferential statistics. Result: The present study was conducted to assess the level of stress in the students of 10th
standard in a selected coaching classes. The study proved that 45% had mild stress, 51% had moderate stress, 4%
had severe stress and found the most common indicators of the stress level to be parent’s expectations. Gender
tends to be associated with stress level. Conclusion: Academic stress is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and
dealt at primary level by implementing preventive strategies to improve the mental health of students.
Keywords: Academic stress; Affective indicators; Moderate stress.

How to cite this article:

Betty Koshy. Academic Stress Among 10th Class Students. J Psychiatr Nurs. 2019;8(3):95–99.

Introduction stress is known to everyone but often neglected

by the teachers and parents as they play a major
part in playing a causative role. Strict parenting
Stress is viewed as a negative emotional, cognitive,
styles, academic pressures by the schools, parental
behavioral and physiological process that occurs
pressure are one of the most noticeable stressors
as a person tries to adjust to or deal with stressors
that cause mental distress to students. Archer and
(Bernstein et al., 2008).1 Stress is a universal
Lamnin (1985) defined academic stress as a stress
phenomenon and is personalized in nature that
arising from important factors like writing term
implies that each and every individual responds to
papers, text anxiety, poor study skills, excessive
stressors and stressful situations in a different way.
academic load and classroom environment, which
There are many types of stress. Concept of academic
in the turn forms a major part of general stress in
adolescent students.2 According to Gupta and
Khan (1987), academic stress essentially relates to
mental distress associated with some anticipated
Author Affiliation
frustration on account of academic failure or even a
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatric Nursing, Parul
Institute of Nursing, Vadodara, Gujarat 390019, India. realization of the possibility of such a failure.3
Corresponding Author Anticipation of failure or fear of not able to
Betty Koshy, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychiatric fulfil expectations of teachers and parents is major
Nursing, Parul Institute of Nursing, Vadodara, Gujarat stressors that have physiological and psychological
390019, India.
impact on students. Excessive academic stress can
E-mail: [email protected]
lead to self-inflicted injury or deliberate attempt to
Received on 27.08.2019
Accepted on 23.10.2019 harm onself. Hence, the researcher felt the need to

© Red Flower Publication Pvt. Ltd.

96 Journal of Psychiatric Nursing

identify the source of stressors to find out better selected based on the research problem, review
practical solutions and strategies that can help of the related literature and with suggestions
academician and parents to help students in schools and guidance of experts. Tool was divided into
and home. This study was conducted with an intent 2 parts:
to assess the level of stress, identify the source of
academic stress and to determine the association of Part I: Consists of demographic characteristics
stress with socio-demographic variables. of respondents seeking information such as age,
gender, religion, % obtained in previous year,
Statement of the Problem board of education, stream and hours spent in
tuition classes.
A Descriptive study to assess the level of academic
stress among the students of 10th standard of a Part II: There were 30 items in the Stresss Assessment
selected tuition classes, Vadodara, Gujarat. Scale. Each items has 2 responses yes/no.
Objectives of the Study
Procedure for Data Collection
1. To assess the level of academic stress.
Before starting data collection formal permission
2. To find out association of level of stress with taken from the concerned authorities. Investigator
selected socio-demographic variable. discussed the study with the proprietor of the
3. To find out source of academic stress. coaching class. A written informed consent taken
from all the participants before starting the study.
Confidentiality and anonymity was ensured
Materials and Methods
throughout the procedure.

The research design selected for the present study

Results
was Descriptive–Exploratory. The aim of the study
was to assess the level of academic stress and to
explore the possible causes of academic stress of Findings related to baseline characteristics
10th students. The study was conducted in Tuition As per the distribution of baseline characteristics,
class of Vadodara. majority of students (58%) belong to 15–16 age
The sample size for the present study is 100 and group. 52% students were male and 48% students
are selected by convenient sampling technique were female. 73% students spent 2–3 hours in
which is a type of non-probability sampling tuition daily.
approach, adopted for the study because of limited
time frame and availability of all the students at the Findings related to level of stress
same time.
Stress level assessment when done indicated that
A self-report scale was used to identify the level 45% had mild stress, 51% had moderate stress, 4%
of academic stress of 10th students. The tool was had severe stress represented in Figure 1.

100%
88%
90%
80%
70% 66%

60%
50%
40%
30% 24%
20%
10% 10%
10%
2%
0%
Mild anxiety Moderate anxiety Severe anxiety

III-year IV-year

Fig. 1: Showing level of academic stress.

Journal of Psychiatric Nursing / Volume 8 Number 3 / September – December 2019

 Academic Stress Among 10th Class Students 97

Findings related to source of stress indicator was “getting nervous” (Mean = 0.66)
Possible source of stress in form of indicators • In social or interpersonal indicator the most
identified are represented in Table 1. affective indicator was to “ like to stay away”
(Mean = 0.49)
• In cognitive indicators the most affective
factor was “hesitation in asking” (Mean = • While in motivational indicator the most
affective indicator was “feeling sleepy” (Mean
0.54)
= 0.47)
• In affective indicator the most affective factor
Mean score of affective indicators with factor
was “worry about parents expectation”
“worry about parents expectation” (mean = 0.84) is
(Mean = 0.84)
rated to be the highest cause for the academic stress
• In physical indicator the most affective of the students
Table 1: Representing Analysis and Interpretation of the Data Related to Source of Stress.
Indicators Items Mean SD
1. Cognitive Indicators 1. Difficulty to concentrate 0.26 0.44
3. forget easily 0.22 0.42
22. day dream a lot 0.46 0.5
24. difficulty in problem solving 0.18 0.39
27. don't answer 0.21 0.54
28. doubt myAbilities 0.42 0.49
29. hesitate in asking 0.54 0.5
2. Affective Indicators 4,30 Feel inferior, Feel sad about 0.32 0.47
7. lack confidence 0.49 0.5
10. feel under pressure 0.53 0.5
13. feel failure 0.21 0.41
14. worry about parents expectation 0.84 0.37
3. Physical Indicators 2. get headache 0.25 0.43
6. get nervous 0.66 0.48
16. less desire to eat 0.45 0.5
20. loss of sleep 0.6 0.49
26. heart beats fast 0.54 0.5
4. Social/Interpersonal 12,17 nobody to help, not feel talking to 0.26 0.44
Indicators 15. get irritated with everyone 0.38 0.49
18, 25 like to stay alone, nobody understands me 0.4 0.5
5. Motivational Factors 8. not enjoy extracurricular activities 0.37 0.49
9,21 difficulty in completing lessons 0.32 0.47
11. get bored easily 0.43 0.5
19. feel to discontinue 0.25 0.44
21. not feel like going to school 0.32 0.47
23. feel sleepy 0.47 0.5

Findings related to association of level of stress square test.

with socio-demographic variables In terms of association Gender was found to
Table 2 indicates association of level of stress with be statistically associated with level of stress (χ2 =
socio-demographic variables computed by chi- 556.8, tab value = 0.99) at p < 0.01

Table 2: Representing Association of Level of Stress with Socio-demographic Variables

Demographic Chi-square Critical
Mild Moderate Severe D(F) p-value
Variables Value Value
Age
14–15 Years 18 22 1 p>0.01
15–16 Years 26 29 3 1.738 13.28 4

Journal of Psychiatric Nursing / Volume 8 Number 3 / September – December 2019

98 Journal of Psychiatric Nursing

Demographic Chi-square Critical

Mild Moderate Severe D(F) p-value
Variables Value Value
>16 Years 1 0 0 NS
Gender
Male 27 23 2 55.68 0.99 1 p < 0.01
Female 18 18 2 Significant
Religion
Hindu 37 43 3
Muslim 3 4 0 1.56 13.28 4 p > 0.01
Others 5 4 1 NS
Board of Education
State 45 51 4
CBSE 0 0 0 0 13.28 4 p > 0.01
Others 0 0 0 NS
% Obtained in
Previous Year
50–60% 2 2 0
60–70% 4 8 1 1.66 13.28 4 p > 0.01
>70% 39 41 3 NS
Time Spent in
Tution Classes
1–2 hrs 8 6 0
2–3 hrs 30 39 4 2.71 13.28 4 p > 0.01
>3 hrs 7 6 0 NS
NS=Non-significant

Discussion (non-graduates) were found to be more likely to

perceive pressure for better academic performance.
Figure 1 indicated that 45% students had mild Academic stress was positively correlated with
stress, 51% students had moderate stress and parental pressure and psychiatric problems, while
examination-related anxiety also was positively
4% students had severe stress. Similar findings
related to psychiatric problems.5
can be seen in study conducted by Dr. P Suresh
Prabu titled. "A study on Academic Stress Among Level of stress was associated with socio-
Higher Secondary Students.” The study was demographic variables and the results of the study
done 250 XI standard students studying in higher indicated that gender was found to be statistically
secondary students situated in Namakkal District associated with level of stress (χ2 = 556.8, tab value
of Tamil Nadu, India. The presents study revealed = 0.99) at p < 0.01. Majority of students were male
that majority of higher secondary students have (52%) and female were (48%) by which it can be
moderate level of academic stress.4 concluded that male students have more academic
stress in compared to female students.
Table 2 indicated that in affective factors “worry
about parents expectation” (mean = 0.84 ) is rated Similar findings can be seen in study conducted
to be the highest cause for the stress of the students. by Dr. Pratibha Sagar, Mr. Brijender Singh. The
study reported that a highly significant difference
Similar findings can be interpreted from research between academic stress of male and female
conducted by Deb Sibnath, Strodl Esben and Sun students (t = 2.87) at 0.01 level of significance. Male
Jiandong investigating the academic stress and students had more academic stress (m = 96.19) than
mental health of Indian high school students and counterparts female students (m = 87.75).6
the associations between various psychosocial
factors and academic stress. A total of 190 students
from grades 11 and 12 were surveyed in the study. Conclusion
About two-thirds (66%) of the students reported
feeling pressure from their parents for better Academic stress is a serious issue which needs
academic performance. In particular, children to be addressed. Preventive strategies should be
of fathers possessing a lower education level implemented by the educational system by using

Journal of Psychiatric Nursing / Volume 8 Number 3 / September – December 2019

 Academic Stress Among 10th Class Students 99

flexibility in curriculum, modern and practical 3. Gupta K, Khan BN. Anxiety level as factor
approaches in teaching, changing styles of teaching in concept formation. J Psychology Reports.
catering to the needs of students, peer group 1987:31(3);187–92.
learning, timely parental guidance, etc. In every 4. Prabhu PS. A study on Academic Stress Among
school counsellors and school nurses should be Students. International Journal of Humanities
appointed so that proper screening of student’s and Social Science. 2015;4:63–8. Retrieved from
mental health can be done and uneventful problems http://www.ijhssi.org
or issues can be detected at very early stage. 5. Sibnath D, Esben S, Jiandong S. Academic
Stress, Parental Pressure, Anxiety and Mental
Health among Indian High School Students.
References International Journal of Psychology and
Behavioural Sciences. 2015;5:26–4. 10.5923/j.
ijpbs.20150501.04.
1. Bernstein, Penner LA, Stewart AC, Roy EJ.
Psychology. 2008 (8th edition). New York: 6. Sagar P, Singh B. A Study of Academic Stress
Houghton Mifflin Company Boston. Among Higher Secondary School Students.
International Journal of Creative Research
2. Archer,James, Lamnin Alisa. An investigation
Thoughts (IJCRT). 2017 Dec;5(4):1864–9.
of personal and academic stressors on college
Retrieved from http://www.ijcrt.org
campuses. Journal of College Students
Personnel. 1985;26(3):210–15.

Journal of Psychiatric Nursing / Volume 8 Number 3 / September – December 2019

 100

Red Flower Publication (P) Ltd.

Presents its Book Publications for sale

1. Comprehensive Medical Pharmacology

by Ahmad Najmi INR599/USD47

2. Practical Emergency Trauma Toxicology Cases Workbook

in Simulation Training (2019)
by Vivekanshu Verma, Shiv Rattan Kochar & Devendra Richhariya INR395/USD31
3. MCQs in Minimal Access & Bariatric Surgery (2019)
by Anshuman Kaushal & Dhruv Kundra INR450/USD35
4. Biostatistics Methods for Medical Research (2019)
by Sanjeev Sarmukaddam INR549/USD44
5. MCQs in Medical Physiology (2019) by Bharati Mehta &
Bharti Bhandari Rathore INR300/USD29
6. Synopsis of Anesthesia (2019) by Lalit Gupta &
Bhavna Gupta INR1195/USD95
7. Shipping Economics (2018) by D. Amutha, Ph.D. INR345/USD27

8. Breast Cancer: Biology, Prevention and Treatment (2015)

by Rana P. Singh, Ph.D. & A. Ramesh Rao, Ph.D. INR395/USD100
9. Child Intelligence (2005) by Rajesh Shukla, MD. INR150/USD50
10. Pediatric Companion (2001) by Rajesh Shukla, MD. INR250/USD50

Order from
Red Flower Publication Pvt. Ltd.
48/41-42, DSIDC, Pocket-II
Mayur Vihar Phase-I
Delhi - 110 091(India)
Mobile: 8130750089, Phone: 91-11-45796900, 22754205, 22756995
E-mail: [email protected]

Journal of Psychiatric Nursing / Volume 8 Number 3 / September – December 2019

View publication stats