Stress, stressors and coping strategies among secondary school students in a Malaysian government secondary school: initial findings
- Author:
Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Stress, Stressor, Coping Strategies, Secondary School Children, Adolescence
- From:ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry
2010;11(2):143-157
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective: In the process of growing, adolescents experience stress either good or bad depending on how they cope. School training further adds to this
stressful situation. It is noteworthy that persistent over stress will impair students’ academic achievement, personal and professional development.
This preliminary study is meant to obtain initial data on the stress prevalence, stressors, and coping strategies among secondary school children in Malaysia. Data gained from this preliminary study provides valuable data
for subsequence research in the future. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 100 secondary school students from a Malaysian government
secondary school. The validated Malay version 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Soalselidik Stressor Sekolah Menengah (SSSM) and Malay version of Brief COPE were used to identify stress level, stressors,
and coping strategies. Results: A number of 90 (90%) students participated in this study. The prevalence of stress among secondary school students was
26.1%. It was found that the main stressors were related to academic. The top five coping strategies were religion, positive reinterpretation, active coping, planning, and use of instrumental support. Conclusion: The
prevalence of stress among secondary school students in a Malaysian stressor among the students. The most frequent coping strategies being used by the students were positive coping strategies.
