Correlation of Academic Stress with Age and Academic Year Among Nursing Students at Private Nursing Institute, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Stress is a complex process when people interpret demands, restrictions, or possibilities as challenging their ability to cope effectively. Objective: To explore the correlation of academic stress with age and academic year among nursing students at the private nursing institute in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from February to July 2023. A convenience sampling technique was utilized to approach study participants. A total of 206 nursing students were part of this study. Moreover, a reliable questionnaire was used for the data collection, consisting of demographic data, stress levels, contributing factors, and coping mechanisms. Results: This study revealed that 80.6% of nursing students had moderate and 14.1% had high academic stress. The study also identifies a significant association between academic year and age and academic stress (p-0.006) and (p-0.033). Conclusions: Educational institutions should develop specialized support programs because 80.6% of nursing students experience moderate academic stress and 14.1% experience high stress. Implement stress-management classes, counseling, and academic resources to assist students in handling the challenging tasks of their coursework. Students can be given valuable tools to handle academic stresses by including stress management techniques in the curriculum. These abilities include time management, study strategies, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques.