STRESS RESILIENCE RESEARCH OF THE FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This article presents the findings of a study on stress resilience of first-year university students during the adaptation period. The main factors influencing stress in first-year students have been identified.

Keywords: stress resilience, resilience assessment, first-year students.

At the present stage of development of the higher education system, there is a trend towards an increase in stress-related disorders among students, primarily affecting those who are at the initial stage of their studies at university. The acceleration of the pace of life, the increase in the volume of information, intellectual and emotional overload, disruption of eating, sleeping, and rest patterns are daily experiences for first-year students. Transition difficulties associated with adopting a new social role, adapting to a new way of life, to the student and faculty community, and possibly changing their place of residence exacerbate this situation. First-year students are more vulnerable to stressful situations and are more susceptible to stress than senior students, who have adapted and demonstrate greater resilience to stress.

Thus, the problem of studying stress resilience among first-year students is undoubtedly relevant today, as the rhythm of their lives becomes increasingly intense and stressful.

The aim of our research is to identify the level of stress resilience among first-year students.

To achieve the research objective, we utilized the following method: the Psychological Resilience to Stress Questionnaire (PRSQ) developed by E. V. Raspopin is intended to assess psychological resilience to stressors [1, p. 104-122]. Initial sample of respondents consists of 20 participants who were included in the study based on full informed consent and voluntary participation. All respondents are first-year students of the Faculty of Social Pedagogy and Psychology. The empirical study was conducted at VSU named after P. M. Masherov.

The results of the study using the Psychological Resilience to Stress Questionnaire (PRSQ) developed by E. V. Raspopin are presented in «Figure 1».

Figure 1. Research results on the Psychological Resilience to Stress Questionnaire (PRSQ) by E. V. Raspopin

The data analysis reflected in Figure 1 indicates that 15% of the participants demonstrated a low level of overall stress resilience, 65% had a moderate level, and only 20% exhibited a high level of stress resilience.

The PRSQ methodology allows capturing stress across various aspects as it includes twelve different scales. The negative social evaluation scale characterizes individuals' resilience to emotionally charged, conflict-generating interpersonal situations. Its interpretation shows that 30% of respondents demonstrate a low level of resilience to conflict situations, 55% have a moderate level, and 15% exhibit a high level.

The scale of negative self-assessment reflects the degree of stability of positive self-esteem in contrast to the tendency towards stress-induced dissatisfaction with various aspects of one's personality. According to this parameter, the results are as follows: 55% of respondents have low resilience, while 45% have a moderate level.

The uncertainty scale reflects individuals' resilience to situations of uncertainty, unknowns, and a deficit of personally significant information. Among all respondents, 20% have a low level of resilience to uncertainty, 50% have a moderate level, and 20% exhibit a high level.

The time pressure scale reflects individuals' resilience to situations of time limitation and deficit. In our study, 70% showed a low level of resilience to time constraints, while 30% had a moderate level.

The information overload scale reflects individuals' resilience to intensive informational and cognitive loads. Based on our data, 70% of students have low resilience to information overload, while another 30% have a moderate level.

The physical overload scale reflects individuals' resilience to the influence of physical factors in the external environment (noise, temperature variations, etc.) and to physical exertion in general. According to the survey results, 50% exhibit low resilience to physical environmental factors, while the remaining 50% demonstrate moderate resilience.

The monotony scale reflects individuals' resilience to uniform, monotonous conditions of activity. Based on this scale, the following results were obtained from our sample: 55% of respondents have a low level of resilience to monotonous activities, while 45% have a moderate level.

The isolation scale reflects individuals' resilience to situations of interpersonal isolation, deficit, or absence of social contacts. Only 5% of respondents showed a low level of resilience to social isolation, while 80% demonstrated a moderate level, and 15% exhibited high resilience.

The specific threat scale reflects individuals' resilience to extreme activity conditions associated with potentially high levels of risk. Among our respondents, 50% have low resilience to this stressor, 35% have a moderate level, and 15% exhibit a high level of resilience to specific danger situations.

The daily stressors scale reflects the overall resilience of individuals to difficulties, obstacles, and limitations that arise in everyday life situations. Sixty percent of participants displayed a low level of adaptation to everyday difficulties, while the remaining 40% had a moderate level.

The unexpected event stressor scale reflects individuals' resilience to unforeseen events that disrupt the planning and execution of any activity. Twenty percent of respondents exhibited low resilience to unexpected events, while 80% showed a moderate level of resilience according to this criterion.

The duration and repetitiveness of stressor scale reflects individuals' resilience to situations where the stressfulness is determined and exacerbated by prolonged, repetitive, or chronic stress. Seventy percent of respondents demonstrated a low level of resilience to stressor repetitiveness, while the remaining 30% exhibited a moderate level.

The data obtained during our study highlights the significant importance of studying stress resilience among first-year students. There is a need to develop and implement corrective programs aimed at enhancing their stress resilience, which will be the next stage of our further research.

References:

1. Raspopin E. V. Psychological Resilience to Stress Questionnaire (PRSQ) / E. V. Raspopin // Psychol. Diagnostics. – 2009. № 3. – P. 104-122.