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Student Stress: Comparative Study in Europe—Developments and Proposals to Improve...
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Student Stress: Comparative Study in Europe—Developments and Proposals to Improve Their Living Conditions

A topical collection in Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760).

Viewed by 36503

Editor

Prof. Dr. Denis Bernardeau-Moreau

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sociology, University of Lille, 59000 Lille, France
Interests: sociology of sport; sociology of organization; involvement and volunteering; corporate sport and wellness

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent studies (Conley et al. 2013, Eicher et al. 2014, Reddy et al. 2018, Cohen et al. 2019) have shown a high level of stress among university students. According to surveys, 35% of students in higher education are anxious (Bayram and Bilgel 2008, Eisenberg and al. 2007, Ozen and al. 2010) and 30% are depressed (Ibrahim and al. 2013). A survey by the American College Health Association (2015) shows that stress has become the most serious obstacle for study among American students. According to Collier (2019), 45% of UK students report feeling stressed about their course. Additionally, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a significant increase in stress among students. According to a study by Son et al (2020), 70% of students surveyed reported increased stress and anxiety due to COVID-19. An international comparative study (Aristovnik et al. 2020) highlights a strong correlation between the negative effects of COVID-19 and students' living standards (with the poorest being highly exposed). Voltmer et al (2021) showed that the impact of COVID-19 on general health, stress and depression is significant for already fragile German students. In France, the INSERM study concluded that the negative effects of COVID-19 are stronger for students than for nonstudents (37% report depressive symptoms against 20% of nonstudents).

The aim of this Special Issue of Social Sciences is to evaluate the stress experienced by students in various European countries (France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Romania, etc.). It will be comprised of two parts. The first part will provide an overview of student stress in different European countries and a comparative analysis between stress levels and the school, educational, economic, cultural and social conditions of the populations studied. The second part will propose ways of coping with stress. The authors' contributions will seek to describe and analyse means of reducing stress, on the basis of experiments and qualitative analyses carried out among students. These means can be educational, therapeutic, socialisation, relaxation and yoga activities, sports and cultural activities.

Contributions to this Special Issue should coincide with one of these two sections. Ultimately, our intention is to show how it is possible to act on students' stress and improve their living conditions.

Bibliography

American College Health Association. (2015). National College Health Assessment II: Reference Group Executive Summary Spring 2015. Hanover, MD: ACHA.

Aristovnik A, Keržič D, Ravšelj D, Tomaževič N, Umek L. (2020). « Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on life of higher education students: a global perspective”. Sustainability. 12(20). 8438.

Son C., BS, Hegde S., Smith A., Wang X., Sasangohar F. (2020). “Effects of COVID-19 on College Students’ Mental Health in the United States: Interview Survey Study”. J Med Internet Res. 22(9).

Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. (1983). “A global measure of perceived stress”. J Health Soc Behav. 24(4). 385-96.

Conley C, Travers L, & Bryant F. (2013). “Promoting psychosocial adjustment and stress management in first-year college students: the benefits of engagement in a psychosocial wellness seminar”. Journal of American College Health, 6 (2), 75-76.

Eicher V, Staerklé C, Clémence A. (2014). “I want to quit education: a longitudinal study of stress and optimism as predictors of school dropout intention”. J. Adolesc. 37. 1021-1030. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.07.007.

Eisenberg D, Hunt J and Speer N. (2013). “Mental health in American colleges and universities: variation across student subgroups and across campuses”. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 201. 60-67. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31827ab077

Macalli M, Texier N, Schück S, Côté S.-M, Tzourio C. (2021). “A repeated cross-sectional analysis assessing mental health conditions of adults as per student status during key periods of the COVID-19 epidemic in France”. Scientific Reports. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00471-8.

Voltmer E, Köslich-Strumann S, Walther A, Kasem M, Obst K and Kött T. (2021). “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress, mental health and coping behavior in German University students – a longitudinal study before and after the onset of the pandemic”. BMC Public health. 21. 1385.

Prof. Dr. Denis Bernardeau-Moreau
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • student
  • stress
  • comparative analysis
  • relaxation
  • sport activities
  • social activities
  • educational activities

Published Papers (6 papers)

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2023

Jump to: 2022

14 pages, 1297 KiB  
Article
Student Stress and the Effects of Relaxation: A Study Conducted at the University of Lille in Northern France
by Dan Gondo, Denis Bernardeau-Moreau and Philippe Campillo
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(6), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12060318 - 29 May 2023
Viewed by 5857
Abstract
Although all sections of society experience periods of stress of varying intensity, there is one population that appears to be particularly vulnerable to stress and its harmful effects: students. Many studies attest to the high level of vulnerability experienced by this young and [...] Read more.
Although all sections of society experience periods of stress of varying intensity, there is one population that appears to be particularly vulnerable to stress and its harmful effects: students. Many studies attest to the high level of vulnerability experienced by this young and fragile population, exposed to situations that generate tension, doubt, and stress. Studies estimate that one in three young people suffer from somatic and emotional disorders and have difficulty managing their stress. What can be done about this situation? Based on a representative sample of students enrolled at the University of Lille (Northern France), our study aims to more accurately identify stress levels and factors among the student population. To do this, we conducted three surveys: a qualitative survey consisting of interviews (N = 165), a quantitative survey based on a questionnaire (N = 1049) and an immersive survey where students were invited to take part in an initial relaxation session (N = 22). For the interviews, we used the PSS (Perceived Stress Scale) method of Cohen et al. For the questionnaires, we used the self-administered method (questionnaires sent out and returned by email) with the online application “Survio”. We have thus tried to better assess the impact of sport and relaxation on student stress and determine the extent to which these activities can significantly reduce stress and its harmful effects on the health of young students. Our results show that the main stress factors are exams and uncertainty about the future. The main symptoms of stress are tachycardia and stomach ache. To manage their stress, students prefer to play sports and to go out with friends. Finally, we show a significant correlation between the practice of relaxation and the reduction in stress levels. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2023

12 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Students and Staff in Lockdown: Mental and Social Health in the Austrian Tertiary Education Sector
by Elisabeth Noehammer
Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12010004 - 20 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1326
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to high demands on the educational sector. For tertiary education, investigations mostly focused on the effects of digital teaching. However, little is known regarding health effects. Moreover, the emphasis was mainly on students, not university staff members. An international [...] Read more.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to high demands on the educational sector. For tertiary education, investigations mostly focused on the effects of digital teaching. However, little is known regarding health effects. Moreover, the emphasis was mainly on students, not university staff members. An international online questionnaire consisting of quantitative and qualitative items (from the LockedDown project) was translated into German and used in Austria from June to November 2020. This study reports on social and psychological health plus the perceived benefits of the pandemic. A total of 1175 students and 716 staff members participated. While staff members reported higher stress levels at the beginning of the pandemic, they were more pronounced for students from Week 5 onwards (Chi2 < 0.001). Quality of Life (QoL) decreased more in the student population, and depression/anxiety was higher and rose compared to staff. Moreover, students reported fewer benefits of the pandemic. Students perceived the burden of the pandemic later than staff members who needed to adapt their work processes immediately. Mental health interventions in a pandemic seem to be needed at different points in time depending on the target group. Full article
11 pages, 755 KiB  
Article
Economic Impact on Health and Well-Being: Comparative Study of Israeli and Japanese University “Help” Profession Students
by Richard Isralowitz, Mor Yehudai, Daichi Sugawara, Akihiro Masuyama, Shai-li Romem Porat, Adi Dagan and Alexander Reznik
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(12), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11120561 - 30 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Background: Deteriorating economic conditions caused by rising inflation and living expenses can have negative consequences for university students. This comparative study examined Israeli and Japanese “help” profession (e.g., medicine, nursing, social work, and psychology) students’ fear of such conditions and its impact on [...] Read more.
Background: Deteriorating economic conditions caused by rising inflation and living expenses can have negative consequences for university students. This comparative study examined Israeli and Japanese “help” profession (e.g., medicine, nursing, social work, and psychology) students’ fear of such conditions and its impact on their health and well-being. Methods: Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 848 university students from Israel and Japan (78.9% female, 20.4% male, and 0.7% other) during a 3-month period of economic decline in 2022. Reliable data-collection instruments and SPSS (version 25) were used for the study. Results: Overall, Japanese students evidenced a higher level of economic well-being than their Israeli counterparts. This finding may have been a result of the lower inflation and living costs in Japan. However, most survey respondents evidenced a fear of deteriorating economic conditions that was significantly associated with psycho-emotional behavior, including increased burnout, substance use, unhealthy food intake, weight gain, and resilience regardless of gender and religiosity. Conclusions: The study findings showed the impact of deteriorating economic conditions on the health and well-being of “help” profession students. These results are preliminary; however, they do serve as an early warning of the key challenges that may need to be considered and addressed for prevention and intervention purposes. Further research should be conducted in other countries and over different time periods to substantiate present findings. Full article
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13 pages, 971 KiB  
Article
Stress among Students and Difficulty with Time Management: A Study at the University of Galați in Romania
by Daniel Lovin and Denis Bernardeau-Moreau
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(12), 538; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11120538 - 22 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 21036
Abstract
Stress is a defining trait of our modern societies. The correlations between economic and social developments and the state of ill-being of populations have long been demonstrated. Today, negative environmental factors such as climate change, war and health crises have consequences on populations. [...] Read more.
Stress is a defining trait of our modern societies. The correlations between economic and social developments and the state of ill-being of populations have long been demonstrated. Today, negative environmental factors such as climate change, war and health crises have consequences on populations. Regardless of gender or age, more and more people are suffering from stress, of which there are many effects. According to studies, stress is an emotional response resulting from human–environmental interaction. They define stress as a state of discomfort and tension caused by external factors. This author believes that stress has a negative impact, which leads to frustration and increased difficulty in addressing issues. Authors describes stress as a physical and psychological state experienced by someone facing a real or potential. For students, stress can be caused by a number of factors. Some of these may include how the university functions, exam periods, relationships with teachers, the pressure that parents put on academic achievement, competition with other students, financial problems, uncertainty about the future, and lack of self-confidence. Symptoms of stress are now well identified. Students suffering from stress report feeling unhappy, having stomach pains, difficulty relaxing and sleeping, mental health problems, and even depression. When it comes to stress, Romanian students are no exception, especially because of the particularly volatile situation faced by the nation. The country has high immigration of skilled and qualified labour, inflation, and depreciation of the national currency. Students also claim to be stressed by the challenges of student life and the demands of the working world. They have a constant fear of failure and doubt themselves, their academic skills, and success in their careers after graduating. Our sociological study aims to deepen our knowledge in this field in Romania. In an already anxious context, it successively examines stress factors, symptoms experienced by students, conditions for organising studies, and ways to improve students’ quality of life. To conduct our study, we sampled students at the Dunărea de Jos University of Galați. We analysed 151 questionnaires sent to a sample of students listed in various first-year university courses. The results of this survey ultimately allow us to better identify the time-related, financial, and social factors of stress and the resulting symptoms. It is very clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on this already fragile young population. Our study is also an opportunity to discuss ways to better manage student stress. Full article
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8 pages, 633 KiB  
Article
The Impact of COVID-19 on Health and Well-Being: Foreign Medical Students in Eastern Europe
by Vsevolod Konstantinov, Valentina Gritsenko, Alexander Reznik and Richard Isralowitz
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(9), 393; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11090393 - 01 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1777
Abstract
Approximately 350,000 foreign students, mostly from India, study medicine in Eastern Europe (EE). However, there is a dearth of information about the COVID-19 impact on this population who study at universities in Eastern Europe (e.g., Russia, Ukraine and Belarus). The aim of this [...] Read more.
Approximately 350,000 foreign students, mostly from India, study medicine in Eastern Europe (EE). However, there is a dearth of information about the COVID-19 impact on this population who study at universities in Eastern Europe (e.g., Russia, Ukraine and Belarus). The aim of this study was to examine the pandemic impact on such students and to generate useful information that may be applied to their health, well-being and learning experience. A cross-sectional survey of Indian students at a Russian medical university was conducted. The data collection instrument included questions about background characteristics, fear of COVID-19, burnout, mental distress, eating behavior, substance use, resilience and adherence to World Health Organization prevention recommendations. Male and female students were compared to determine the COVID-19 impact based on gender status. A total of 497 students participated in this study. Among the survey participants, 92.3% reported being vaccinated. No significant difference was found among male and female respondents regarding fear and burnout associated with COVID-19. Approximately 40% of the students reported a deterioration in psycho-emotional well-being due to COVID-19, and such students had higher levels of COVID-19-related fear, burnout, substance use and lower resilience. Nearly half of the respondents reported unhealthy eating behavior (49.7%) and weight gain (46.3%) associated with COVID-19. In addition, students who adhered to prevention measures of mask wearing and social distancing had less COVID-19 fear and burnout, as well as more resilience. This study promotes an understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on the psycho-emotional conditions of male and female medical students from India studying abroad. Full article
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19 pages, 4690 KiB  
Article
Bibliometric Analysis of International Scientific Production on the Management of Happiness and Well-Being in Organizations
by Carmen Jambrino-Maldonado, Dolores Rando-Cueto, José Manuel Núñez-Sánchez, Patricias P. Iglesias-Sanchez and Carlos De las Heras-Pedrosa
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(7), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11070272 - 24 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2666
Abstract
The interest of the scientific community and, consequently, the scientific production of topics on happiness and well-being at work, or the management of happiness in organizations, has been increasing over the years. The main objective of this bibliometric analysis is to determine the [...] Read more.
The interest of the scientific community and, consequently, the scientific production of topics on happiness and well-being at work, or the management of happiness in organizations, has been increasing over the years. The main objective of this bibliometric analysis is to determine the evolution of the concepts referred to in published scientific works. Bibliometric methods and techniques are used to analyze the themes and the most relevant trends, the number of papers and their citations, and the main institutions, and to highlight areas where the most research has been done on these issues. In addition to the review of the scientific literature, 312 studies are analyzed and net-mapped. The most outstanding results are the increase in the number of papers and citations during the health pandemic caused by COVID-19; the importance given to the transversality of well-being programs in corporations; and the greater frequency of research on the benefits of promoting the improvement of quality of life for work performance and its social impact. Full article
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