Employed college students: workplace conflict, stress, and well-being

Due to the rising cost of higher education, more than 80% of college students are employed. This study examines workplace conflict as a potential explanation for why employment negatively affects some college students. 424 employed undergraduate students completed a cross-sectional survey assessing individual conflict styles, workplace conflict, conflict-related stress, depression, social involvement, and college student stress. Findings suggest that, on average, students experience low levels of conflict and conflict-related stress; however, workplace conflict stress is positively associated with college student stress. Students’ tendency to take conflict personally was the strongest predictor of conflict experiences in the workplace.