Exploring Perceived Stress as Determinant of Academic Performance among University Students

Academic performance of students can be influenced by perceived stress in more stressingacademic environment. This paper examined how perceived stress is associated with academicperformance among the university students in Balochistan in Pakistan and the differencebetween the genders. Convenient sampling was used to pick sample of 200 students (age range= 17-25 year). Data were collected using Perceived stress scale and Academic performancescale respectively. Analysis of data was done through Pearson correlation, linear regressionanalysis and independent sample t-tests. It was observed in the data that there was weak andnegative but statistically significant relationship between perceived stress and academicperformance. Academic performance did not vary between genders, however, females reportedlittle higher level of stress. Through regression analysis it was observed that perceived stresswas significant predictor of academic performance. The findings are discussed in the light ofthe previously reported findings on stress and academic performance. The findings also suggestthe relevance of stress management in educational settings.