Comparative Analysis of Stress Coping Strategies Among College Students and Working Adults

Thesis Abstract

The increasing prevalence of stress among diverse populations underscores the necessity to understand how different demographic groups employ coping strategies to manage psychological distress. This study investigates the comparative use of stress coping mechanisms among college students and working adults, aiming to identify distinctive patterns and underlying factors influencing coping behaviors in these populations. The research addresses a notable gap in literature by systematically contrasting the coping strategies of these two groups within a unified theoretical framework, primarily based on Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory, complemented by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. The specific objectives are to describe the types of stress coping strategies used by college students and working adults, compare the prevalence and effectiveness of these strategies, and explore socio-demographic variables that predict coping preferences. The study employs a cross-sectional survey research design to capture prevailing coping behaviors at a single point in time. The population consists of 600 participants, divided equally between undergraduate students from a public university and full-time working adults from corporate organizations in an urban setting, with stratified random sampling ensuring representative subgroups based on age, gender, and socio-economic status. Data collection is conducted through validated psychometric instruments, notably the Brief COPE Inventory, which assesses various coping strategies across dimensions such as problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance strategies. Additionally, socio-demographic data are gathered via structured questionnaires. To ensure validity and reliability, the instruments are pilot tested with a subset of 60 respondents, achieving a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82 for the Brief COPE. Data analysis involves descriptive statistics to outline dominant coping strategies within each group, followed by inferential statistics, chiefly Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and independent samples t-tests, to compare mean scores across groups. Multiple regression analysis further explores socio-demographic predictors of specific coping strategies, with the models tested for multicollinearity and goodness of fit. It is anticipated that the findings will reveal significant differences in coping strategies employed by college students and working adults, with students tending towards emotion-focused and avoidance strategies, while working adults demonstrate a higher propensity for problem-focused coping. The analysis is expected to uncover gender and socio-economic status as salient predictors influencing coping preferences across both groups. These results aim to elucidate contextual factors shaping stress management behaviors and the relative effectiveness of various coping mechanisms. This study contributes to existing knowledge by providing an empirical comparison of stress coping strategies across distinct but related populations, offering insights for mental health practitioners, educators, and organizational managers seeking targeted interventions to improve well-being. It advances the application of Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory within diverse demographic contexts and underscores the importance of culturally and socio-economically sensitive approaches to stress management. The main conclusions suggest that tailored interventions promoting adaptive problem-focused coping could enhance resilience in both populations, with particular emphasis on addressing avoidance tactics among students. Policymakers should incorporate findings into stress management programs within educational institutions and workplace wellness initiatives. Future research is recommended to explore longitudinal changes in coping strategies and the impact of specific stressors, such as academic pressure versus occupational stressors, on coping efficacy. Overall, the study affirms that understanding variances in stress coping informs better psychological support systems and fosters healthy adaptation across life domains.