Comparative Analysis of Stress Coping Strategies Between Working Professionals and Students

Thesis Abstract

The escalating prevalence of stress among diverse populations underscores the importance of understanding adaptive coping mechanisms, especially among working professionals and students who face distinct stressors within their respective social and occupational contexts. This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of stress coping strategies employed by these two groups, with particular focus on identifying differential patterns, determinants, and efficacy of coping mechanisms. The primary objectives are to (1) identify and categorize the coping strategies utilized by working professionals and students, (2) compare the frequency, type, and perceived effectiveness of these strategies between the groups, and (3) explore the underlying psychosocial factors influencing coping responses, including demographic variables, personality traits, and perceived stress levels. Employing a cross-sectional research design within a quantitative framework, the study surveyed a total of 600 participants—300 working professionals and 300 students—selected through stratified random sampling from two major urban centers. Validated instruments, including the Brief COPE Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Big Five Inventory, were used to measure coping strategies, stress levels, and personality factors, respectively. Data collection was facilitated via online questionnaires to ensure wide reach and convenience. To ensure instrument validity and reliability, pilot testing was conducted with a subset of 60 participants, yielding Cronbach’s alpha coefficients above 0.80 for all measures. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics for profile characterization, ANOVA tests to compare coping strategy usage across groups, and multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of coping efficacy. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was also employed to examine the relationships between personality traits, stress perception, and coping strategies, based on Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory and Moos’s Person-Environment Fit Theory. It is anticipated that results will reveal both commonalities and differences in coping mechanisms, with the expectation that active problem-focused strategies (e.g., planning, positive reframing) will predominate among working professionals, whereas students may rely more on emotion-focused strategies (e.g., venting, seeking social support). The regression analyses are expected to demonstrate that personality traits such as openness and extraversion significantly influence adaptive coping, while higher perceived stress levels are associated with maladaptive strategies like venting and behavioral disengagement. The SEM model is projected to confirm the mediating role of personality traits between perceived stress and choice of coping responses. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comparative framework that elucidates the nuanced differences in stress management among distinct populations, thus informing tailored intervention programs within organizational and educational settings. The findings will enhance understanding of the psychosocial factors that facilitate or hinder effective coping, grounded in Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model and Moos’s ecological theories. The study underscores the importance of integrating personality assessment and stress literacy into wellness programs to promote resilient coping. Drawing from the findings, the study recommends the development of targeted coping skills training, particularly emphasizing problem-solving and adaptive emotion regulation for students, and resilience-building interventions for working professionals. It advocates for organizational policies that foster supportive environments conducive to healthy coping. Further research is suggested to explore longitudinal changes in coping strategies over time and to assess the impact of intervention programs on stress outcomes across various demographic and occupational groups. Overall, this study aims to bridge existing gaps by delineating group-specific coping patterns, thus contributing to both theory and practice in stress management and psychological well-being.