Perceived sources of stress and coping among postgraduate students at a private higher education institution in Kwazulu-Natal: a case study.

Abstract

This study sought to explore the perceived sources of stress and coping among postgraduate students at a private Higher Education institution in KwaZulu-Natal. Stress is a significant and relevant issue, particularly among students, as research indicates that they are the demographic most impacted by stress. Students struggle to transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies and this places stress on them. To cope with stress, students use various coping strategies to alleviate stress that is experienced during their studies. The study explored the ways in which the institution offered support to students who were stressed. A qualitative, interpretivist, case study design was used in this study. There was a sample size of eight students that were interviewed. The eight students comprised of three males and five females between the ages of 18 to 27 years old. The qualifications that the students were registered for, were the Bachelor of Commerce Honours and Bachelor of Arts Honours. The data was generated from in-depth interviews and document analysis of the policies of the Higher Education institution. The findings of the study revealed that the stressors experienced by the students were the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate studies, time management, academic stress, difficulty with the research module, pressure to perform well, fear of the future, working and studying, personal life issues, financial issues and living away from family. The findings also highlighted the coping strategies that the postgraduate students used, which were support from family and friends, socialising, avoidance, procrastination, working through it, and physical activities. Additionally, the students recommended that institutions should offer more group sessions for the students to share their experiences, extra-mural activities such as a dancing club, awareness of the library support and referencing workshops, and interaction and relationship-building sessions among students and lecturers.