Boarding High School Students' Life Stress and Coping Skills / 정신간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore life stress and coping skills of boarding high school students. METHODS: Triangulation (quantitative and qualitative) research method was used through three stages. First, 47 high school students were interviewed to identify life stressors. Second, 208 students were surveyed via internet questionnaires to assess stress level for each stressor. Lastly, in order to survey stress coping skills, 61 students answered 10 subjective questions orally or in writing. RESULTS: Thirty-seven life stressors in five categories were identified through thematic content analysis of the interviews dormitory life, appearance and self management, human relations, study, and other areas. Stresses from schoolwork were highest and participants also experienced stress from their dormitory life. The overall stress level was higher in girls than in boys, and students in their 2nd year perceived their stress as higher than those in other grades. Various stress coping skills were being used, and positive coping skills were commonly used. CONCLUSION: To improve quality of life of boarding high school students, various strategies are needed to reduce their life stress. Especially, girls are in need of special concern and care because of their vulnerability to stress.