Causes of Undergraduate Stress in Enugu State, Nigeria: Students Viewpoint
- April 29, 2022
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Education, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Causes of Undergraduate Stress in Enugu State, Nigeria: Students Viewpoint
Evelyn Ijeoma Ezepue1*, Chukwuemeka Joseph Chukwu2, Chukwubuike Obiora Ezepue3, and Udechukwu Felix Ezepue4
1Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
2Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
3Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
4Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria
*Author for Correspondence
Abstract: Stress can explain some suicides among youths and students of tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria. Recently there has been reports of youths and undergraduates of tertiary educational institutions succumbing to stress and committing suicides, not only in Nigeria but around the world.
We therefore set out to determine the viewpoint of students on the causes of stress among youth and undergraduates.
In a qualitative study using facilitated focus group discussions we identified and listed the causes of stress among the students at the Federal College of Dental Technology & Therapy, Trans-Ekulu Enugu, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Ituku-Ozalla Campuses.
Financial difficulties, academic issues, emotional and relationship issues, conflicts with school authorities, family and parental issues, welfare, state of municipal amenities, security concerns and cybernetwork and social media related issues were the chief causes of stress among the students.
If stressed students are recognized early, they could be helped to make appropriate adjustments; specialized institutional units, friends and better parenting could be useful.
Key Words: Stress, Causes of Undergraduate Stress, Youth and Undergraduate Suicides, Undergraduate Stress and Suicides, Youth Stress and Depression
I. INTRODUCTION
Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that leaves the individual frustrated, angry, or nervous (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia 1997 – 2022). It is the reaction of the body to a challenge or a demand and prepares the individual to take remedial action, i.e., to fight or to flee (Melissa Conrad Stoppler, 2020).
