Iranian University students’ stressors and coping strategies: A qualitative study
نویسندگان
1 Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, Neuroscience Center, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), City of Knowledge 084301103, Panama, Visiting Scientist, Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Brain Mapping Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, USA
3 Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Department of Health Information Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5 Department of Health Information Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, National Agency for Strategic Research in Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
6 Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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چکیده
BACKGROUND: Although a certain amount of stress is essential, excessive stress can adverselyinfluence the physiological and mental health. Hence, this study aims to assess common stressorsand coping strategies among university students.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted from October to November2019 in Iran. Twelve students were recruited based on purposeful sampling to participate focus groupdiscussions (FGD). Transcripts of three sessions of FGD were analyzed applying Graneheim andLundman (2004) approach, and a thematic network was applied to illustrate the findings.RESULTS: The finding emerged 78 codes, 14 subthemes, and 4 main themes. Stressors wereclassified in two main themes, including individual stressors and the social ones. Behavioral strategiesand the cognitive ones were among two categories of coping strategies. According to the thematicnetwork, a full stress student affecting the precious stressors and the social, cultural, and the economiccontext may manage his/her stress applying the coping strategies.CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that university students experienced different kinds of stress,and usually, they do not apply right coping strategies. It is important to establish stress counselingprograms for university students. Besides, it is proposing to provide 1st year university students withworkshops about the cause of stress and effective coping strategies.
