Physical Activity and Coping Tactics in Undergraduate Students

Research suggests college student stress has risen drastically over the past 30 years. There are a variety of ways to cope with stress, some more effective than others, but research on which methods are the most effective for college students is lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of different coping mechanisms on college student stress levels. Introductory Psychology students at a large metropolitan university in the Pacific Northwest were surveyed. Students completed A Quantitative Assessment of Stress Tolerance (Bland, 2014) survey, which helped determine what is causing stress and how physical activity compares to other forms of coping mechanisms. On average students only exercised one to two days per week. Given their level of inactivity, it is not surprising that we found no correlation between stress from major life events and physical activity, or between stress symptoms and reported physical activity. In Phase 2, we will target students who frequently utilize the Recreation Center. Data collection is underway.