Abstract:

The paper is based on the evaluation of authors’ own research among 1848 university students, which was conducted throughout the years 2011–2018. The aim of the study is to clarify the causes and the consequences of stress factors in the current lifestyle. The authors utilize the theoretical background of psychology of health, psychosomatic and behavioral medicine. The methodology of the research was based on the questionnaire survey designed to find out the degree of abilities to cope with stress situations. In terms of gender, statistically significant differences were confirmed in the area of psychosomatic symptoms and vulnerability, with women achieving higher rates of symptoms than men (by almost 7%). Considerable differences were also found when part-time and full-time students were compared. The frustration tolerance rate of full-time students was almost 6% lower. The same difference was shown in the same students regarding the area of vulnerability symptoms (vulnerability to stress load). In the studied sample of respondents, healthy coping strategies for handling stress situations were significantly prevalent (59%) over malcoping strategies, which are harmful to health. The research confirmed a substantial increase in the adaptive abilities of university students with increasing length of their studies.

Keywords:

Psychosomatic medicine, university students, stress factors, frustration tolerance, vulnerability, coping and malcoping strategies.