THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF A SHORT MEASURE OF STUDENT STRESSORS AND ITS ASSOCATIONS WITH WELL-BEING

Andrew P. Smith*

ABSTRACT

Background: Questionnaires assessing student stressors exist, and the present study examined the microstructure of a seven-item student stressor scale. Methods: One thousand two hundred and ninety-three university students completed an online survey and answered questions on well-being and factors related to well-being (psychological capital, negative coping and social support). They also completed a seven-item measure of exposure to stressors. Academic attainment marks were available, and perceived work efficiency and course stress were recorded. Results: Factor analysis showed that the seven stressor items loaded on a single factor. Correlations showed that all the stressor items were significantly associated with most well-being outcomes (positively with negative items such as perceived stress; negatively with positive well-being outcomes) and academic attainment. Multivariate analyses, including the other established predictors of well-being, showed that significant associations with stressors were restricted mainly to academic dissatisfaction, time pressure and societal and social mistreatment. Conclusions: The seven-item student stressor scale from the Well-being Process Questionnaire consists of a single factor. The individual items were significantly correlated with well-being outcomes and academic attainment.

Keywords: Well-being; Student Stressors; Social support; Negative coping; Psychological capital; Perceived stress; Negative well-being; Positive well-being; Academic attainment.