Content Analysis of Reported Coping Mechanisms Amongst College Students
Stress is a prevalent experience among college students and is found to be a factor influencing sleep, academic performance, and physical and mental health (Pascoe et al., 2020). While prior research has identified various stressors affecting students, less is known about the coping strategies they use to navigate their struggles (Labrague et al., 2017). Coping styles have also been identified as a predictor of stress among university students, as negative coping strategies correlate with higher stress levels (Alkhawaldeh et al., 2023).
The study aimed to examine the coping themes reported by a sample of 297 college students with a mean age of 21.03 attending a large Midwestern University. Participants were primarily women (74%), white (51.3%), and heterosexual (62.5%). The investigation was carried out through a questionnaire in which participants responded to a narrative prompt where they identified current stressors and coping habits. These experiences were qualitatively coded into 19 discrete categories using a content analysis as recommended by Neuendorf (2018). 11 categories for stressors, and 8 categories for coping.
Results indicated proactivity, social support, and self-care as the most commonly used coping strategies. Proactivity was defined as the participants taking power into their own hands and making decisions for the present and future to mitigate or solve stressors. Social support centered on sharing the burden of stressors by speaking to a loved one or a trustworthy person. Self-care organized ways to manage stress revolving mental health support through intentional emotional, mental, and cognitive actions.
The results contribute to a better understanding of the coping strategies of college students in their natural setting. Understanding these behaviors can inform impactful solutions aimed at supporting students to manage their stress more effectively during their academic journey.