International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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The Level of Perceived Stress and Affecting Factors due to Current Economic Crisis Among Undergraduates in Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University Sri Lanka

Author(s) Ruzaina, Herath, Rasanjali, Shanmukanathan, M.N.G.G.N.Lakmali
Country Sri Lanka
Abstract Abstract
In 2021, the Sri Lankan government officially declared the worst economic crisis in the country. The ongoing economic crisis in Sri Lanka has been affecting the whole sector of the country. The undergraduate students who stayed in hostels had to suffer a lot due to restrictions of family income. The parents face difficulties in affording all expenses required by their children as university students. As a result, students had to cut down their daily expenditures. Due to this crisis, the students had to be affected by various levels of stress leading to disruptions in both physical and mental health. It also caused poor academic performance. Some students had to quit their studies. Stress is an emotional feeling affecting all ages and it appears at any time of the life cycle.
The purpose of this study was to identify the level of perceived stress and affecting factors due to the current economic crisis among undergraduates in the Faculty of Health-Care Sciences (FHCS), Eastern University Sri Lanka (EUSL). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using a self-administered online questionnaire to gather information and a complete enumeration was done. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) instrument was used to assess the severity of the undergraduate perceived level of stress-related current economic crisis. Demographic variables and affecting factors due to the current economic crisis were considered.
The overall mean stress score in the study population was 22.91(SD=5.386). The majority of undergraduates reported moderate stress 70.8% (N=240). A multiple linear regression analysis was applied, Pearson correlation was used, and all necessary tests were performed. There was a statistically significant, positive correlation between the level of perceived stress and their family income per month (p=0.000). The contributing factors correlated with perceived stress were unable to enjoy meeting people, unable to frequently visit home, unable to take meals from outside and instead of cooking, trying to save extra expenditure money, unable to frequent shopping for dresses, cosmetics, jewelry.
The level of perceived stress reported by the majority of the students was moderate. Mainly their family income per month contributed to stress among them. Policymakers and the university administration have to consider more about the stress levels of the students and plan suitable programs like scholarships to manage stress.
Keywords Affecting factors, Mean stress score, Perceived stress score
Field Sociology > Health
Published In Volume 6, Issue 5, September-October 2024
Published On 2024-10-08
Cite This The Level of Perceived Stress and Affecting Factors due to Current Economic Crisis Among Undergraduates in Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University Sri Lanka - Ruzaina, Herath, Rasanjali, Shanmukanathan, M.N.G.G.N.Lakmali - IJFMR Volume 6, Issue 5, September-October 2024. DOI 10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.9333
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i05.9333
Short DOI https://doi.org/g795hn

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