Stress Management as a Mediator Between Stressors and Stress Levels: Insights from Chinese Students

Introduction: The study explores the role of stress management as a mediator between stressors and stress levels among Chinese students. Stressors are categorized into three independent variables: interpersonal relations, personal factors, and environmental factors, while stress levels serve as the dependent variable.Objective: The mediating effect of stress management is examined to understand how stress management can reduce the impact of stressors on stress levels.Method: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is employed to analyze the direct and indirect relationships among these variables. Data was collected through a survey of students from universities across Shandong Province, China.Results: The first three hypotheses were found to significantly contribute to stress levels. Stress management did not mediate the relationship between these stressors and stress levels.Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of stress management techniques, such as time management, mindfulness, and social support, in mitigating the negative effects of stressors on mental health. These findings suggest that universities and policymakers should prioritize stress management training and interventions to enhance student well-being and academic performance. By addressing stressors and promoting effective coping mechanisms, educational institutions can help students manage stress more effectively.