Ways of Coping and Health-Related Hardiness in University Students

Kim, Nam Sun; Lee, Kyu Eun; Kwon, MI Kyung; Kim, Hye Won

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to explain the relationship between ways of coping and health-related hardiness in university students at G city. METHOD: The participants were a convenience sample of 250 students. The data were collected by a questionnaire given to the students between June 1 to June 10, 2006. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
The most frequently used method of coping was pursuit of social support. The mean score for level of health-related hardiness was 3.34+/-0.55. There were significant differences in ways of coping according to satisfaction with college life (F=4.036, p=.008). There were significant differences in health-related hardiness according to smoking or not (F=6.237, p=.002). There were positive correlation between problem focused coping and hardiness (r=.357, p=.000), between social support and hardiness (r=.345, p=.000), between hope seeking thought and hardiness (r=.247, p=.000). In regression analysis, ways of coping was significantly influenced by hardiness(16.6%).
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that programs for strengthening hardiness can be considered as significant nursing interventions for helping university students cope with stress.