This document discusses a study on stress management among Hong Kong tertiary students and its association with academic performance. It provides background on stress and identifies it as a factor that can impact students' physical and mental health, as well as their academic performance. The problem statement notes that academic stress is a primary stressor for many students. The objectives of the study are to identify key causes of stress among students, establish specific stress areas in their lives, and determine techniques for coping with stress. The significance is that the findings can help enhance students' adoption of effective stress coping mechanisms and ensure academic success.

1. Running head: STRESS MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG TERTIARY STUDENTS 1
STRESS MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG TERTIARY STUDENTS AND ITS
ASSOCIATION WITH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
Name:
Institution:

2. Running head: STRESS MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG TERTIARY STUDENTS 2
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
Several different factors are known to be responsible for changes in feelings, motions,
attitudes and perspectives of people. However, there seem to be a similarity in the factors that
drive the overall states of persons in a particular setting, (Cheung, 2016). This study focuses
on stress as one such factor among students in academic settings. At the mention of the word
‘stress’, one is triggered to think of anxiety, high rates of depression as well as a myriad of
other life-threatening issues, (Landow, 2006). It is an indisputable fact that students go through
hectic routines and schedules that often leave them feeling lost, overwhelmed, frozen, tensed
up, or incapacitated to cope with such demanding piles of tasks, (Robinson, 2000). If left
unaddressed, these activities take a toll on the students’ physical and mental health especially
when there is limited time for socializing, proper eating and adequate sleep. According to Lo,
extreme stress levels can hamper studies effectiveness, which then results in poor academic
performance and attrition, (Lo, 2017). He, further affirms that, students that are victims of a
stressful life also report worrying health outcomes and reduced quality of life generally, (Lo,
2017).
Problem Statement.
According to Heidenreich and Prüter, the biggest stressor for more than 50% of all
students is academic in nature (Heidenreich, & Prüter, 2009). Moreover, most of the physical
and emotional symptoms witnessed in students, such as inability to cope, fatigue, headaches as
well as anxiety, are exacerbated by stress. (Chan et al 201). Another finding of a survey by the
Kansas State University indicated a 58% increase in mental related issues as reported to the
university counsellors between the year 1988 and 2001 (Hoover 2003).

3. Running head: STRESS MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG TERTIARY STUDENTS 3
Based on the above findings, this study aims to address the following questions:
1. Other than academic pressure, what are the other causes of stress in a school environment?
2. What is your coping mechanism when stressed?
3. Should stress awareness be taught in institutions of learning?
Objective
The main goal of this study is to identify the coping mechanisms for common stressors
among students.
Specific Objectives
To meet the general goal, this study will focus on the below specific objectives:
1. To identify key causes of stress among students
2. To establish specific stress areas in a student’s life
3. To determines techniques of coping with the stress.
Significance of the study
Findings of this study will provide the basis of enhancing the adoption of effective
stress coping mechanisms thereby ensuring academic success of students.

4. Running head: STRESS MANAGEMENT OF HONG KONG TERTIARY STUDENTS 4
References
Chan, N. Y., Lam, S. P., Zhang, J., Yu, M. W. M., Li, S. X., Li, A. M., & Wing, Y. K. (2016).
Sleep education in Hong Kong. Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 14(1), 21-25.
Cheung, T., Wong, S. Y., Wong, K. Y., Law, L. Y., Ng, K., Tong, M. T., ... & Yip, P. S. (2016).
Depression, anxiety and symptoms of stress among baccalaureate nursing students in
hong kong: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 13(8), 779.
Heidenreich, P., & Prüter, I. (2009). Handbook of stress: Causes, effects and control. New
York: Nova Science Publishers.
Landow, M. V. (2006). Stress and mental health of college students. New York: Nova Science
Publishers.
Lo, C. F. (2017). Stress and Coping Strategies among University Freshmen in Hong Kong:
Validation of the Coping Strategy Indicator. Psychology, 8(08), 1254.
Robinson, S. E. (2000). A comparative study of perceived stress among undergraduate
students.