Abstract:

The work presents the results of a study focused on the experience and management of stressful situations in a group of university students (N = 65, average age 22.54). The authors state their findings regarding the most stressful situations for the participants during their study and the coping strategies students chose to overcome their difficulties. Two questionnaire methods were used in the study: the standardised SVF 78 questionnaire by authors W. Janke and G. Erdmann (Testcentrum, 2003) and a questionnaire designed by the authors. The SVF questionnaire is based on a trans-situational concept which captures the variability of methods that an individual uses in coping with stressful situations. The questionnaire designed by the authors established the data on the subjective perception of stress and representation of preventive activities in the monitored group of students. The data collection took place during December 2019 and January 2020 at VSB – the Technical University of Ostrava and at the Faculty of Education of the University of Ostrava. The obtained data were analysed and then statistically processed, at first in the entire group of participants and then in terms of the type of the field of study (humanities x technical) and in terms of the gender of the participants. The collected data provide an interesting and inspiring view of the university study life stage in the monitored group in the context of coping. The positive experiences found include, for example, the prevalence of positive coping strategies in students against the negative ones. The positive strategies were used more by the men in the group, therefore, the tendency of negative coping is more considerable in women. The data analysis in relation to the field of study also shows a higher occurrence of positive coping strategies in technical fields. Also, the estimated fact that examinations are the most frequent stressors in students regardless of their type was confirmed, as well as the elaboration and defence of the final theses.

Keywords:

Stressful situations, examinations, coping strategies.