The Relationship of Perceived Stress, Ways of Coping, and Stress Response of Nursing Students

Ha, Na Sun; Han, Kuem Sun; Choi, Jung

Abstract

This was designed to identify the relationship of perceived stress, ways of coping, and stress response in student nurses. The subjects of this study were 320 student nurses from two universities and three junior colleges located in Seoul. The data were collected from November 28 to December 10, 1997 by a questionnaire survey method. The instruments for this study were the perceived stress scale developed by Levenstein(1993), ways of coping scale developed by Lazarus and Folkman(1984), and the stress response scale developed by Choi(1991). The data were analyzed by SAS program, using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and ANOVA. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The mean score for the level of perceived stress was 2.55. 2. The mean score for the level of problem oriented coping was 1.61 and the mean score for the level of emotional oriented coping was 1.37. 3. The mean score for the level of stress response was 3.74. Stress was classified into nine factors and the order of scoring for the most frequent was; assignments(3.98), as a nurse(3.97), interpersonal relationship(3.88). 4. The relationship between perceived stress and stress response revealed a positive significant correlation(r=0.23, p=0.0001). 5. The relationship between emotional oriented coping and stress response revealed a positive significant correlation(r=0.22, p=0.0001). 6. The relationship between perceived stress and emotional oriented coping revealed a positive significant correlations(r=0.13, p=0.020). In conclusion, this study revealed that the level of perceived stress and ways of coping were important factors influencing the stress response of student nurses. Therefore, in consideration of perceived stress, ways of coping should be included in the development of a stress management program for student nurses. Further research with an expanded area and subjects is recommended.