The Role of Psychological Resilience, Coping Mechanisms and Locus of Control in Managing Students' Perceived Stress during Exams

Abstract: With this study we provide conclusive evidence on the importance of psychological resilience, coping mechanisms, self-esteem and locus of control for optimal adaptation in situations of intense psychological stress, such as the stress perceived by students in exam situations. The data reveal that out of 120 students included in the study group, 29 students, i.e., 33.2 ⁒ were in the high stress zone and 4 students, i.e., 3.3 ⁒ were in the dangerously high stress zone, which can be explained by the poor functioning of some coping mechanisms and psychological resilience. For example, self-blame as a variable of coping mechanisms has a negative influence on the level of perceived stress and explains 49.72% of the stress level. Also, by comparison, some variables play a positive role in stress management and explain in different proportions the level of perceived stress, such as perspective-taking (35.64%), positive reappraisal (27.64%), positive refocusing (20.25%) or self-esteem (12.33%). The study also revealed that females better manage specific manifestations of perceived stress in exam situations, proving that they more easily establish interpersonal relationships, which in turn can support some healthy response behaviors, how to solve specific tasks and adapt more easily to some specific demands of academic work.