Determinants Of Perceived Stress Among Undergraduate Students In A Hbcu

Being enrolled in a university can be stressful for any undergraduate student. Previous research indicates academic workload as the leading stressor deteriorating the mental health of HBCU students. The mental well-being of minority populations is frequently disregarded, and the insufficient research on this subject has resulted in a significant knowledge gap regarding the factors that negatively impact mental health. The effects of academic stress placed among students are one of the common factors that can lead students to experience burnout and overall impacting the mental health. PURPOSE: This pilot study explores the mental health of minority students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and examines the factors that influence heightened stress levels in this demographic. METHODS: Ten (5 M/5F) undergraduate HBCU students enrolled at Norfolk State University were selected to receive two questionnaires. Participants were instructed to complete within one week using Google Forms. Participants met with researchers for a follow- up interview once the one-week interval was completed to review any questions. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) assessed academic factors that self-reportedly increased levels of stress in students. Focusing primarily on perceived levels of unpredictability, lack of control, and overwhelming demands that respondents experience in their lives. This scale is a 0-40 scale, with 40 denoting a higher stress level. RESULTS: Results from this pilot study indicated academic workload as the leading stressor deteriorating the mental health of HBCU students. Stress levels varied between 18 to 29. Males reported an average score of 22.2, while the females averaged 23. Sixty percent of participants reported that they experienced burnout often during the academic semester. During the interview, the most common coping mechanisms were noted as exercising, venting, meditation, and music. On average, students stated that they were most stressed academically during the last 5 weeks of the semester. CONCLUSION: Recognizing differences in stress levels of students promotes a comprehensive examination of mental health factors. Further research will pave the way for interventions addressing the challenges associated with stress levels of minority students.