Assessing the Impact of School-Related Stress and Associated Coping Strategies on the Mental Health of Undergraduate Students in Nigeria

Abstract

University students are among the categories of people who experience elevated and prolonged stress globally. Due to protracted exposure to diverse stressors in their academic and home environments, they also experience chronic stress which affects their mental balance and wellness. Against this background, this study investigated academic stress among Nigerian undergraduate students, focusing on its causes, gender distribution, mental health correlates, and coping strategies. Convenience and snowball sampling techniques were employed to 70 students between ages 18-27 from Nigerian universities to complete a self-administered cross-sectional online survey. The data was statistically analysed in SPSS. Results revealed high stress levels, with over 80% of participants reporting high to very high academic stress. Primary stressors included academic workload, fear of failing exams, and financial concerns. Contrary to many international studies, male students reported higher stress levels than females, suggesting unique cultural and societal pressures. Mental health correlates showed significant relationships between stress and feelings of anxiety and sleep disturbances, while feelings depression exhibited a complex, non-significant association despite high prevalence. Spirituality and entertainment emerged as the most common coping strategies, while academic support services were underutilized due to stigma and lack of awareness. Limitations include the small sample size and cross-sectional design. Future research should employ larger samples, longitudinal designs, and mixed methods to deeper explore the nuanced stress experiences of Nigerian students. This study contributes to the understanding of academic stress in the Nigerian context and provides a foundation for evidence-based reforms to promote student well-being alongside academic success.