Academic Stress and Its Effect on Physical and Mental Health among Adolescent Girls
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Academic Stress refers to the pressure to perform well in examinations, which is generally
manifested in a variety of psychological and behavioral problems. As a result physical and
mental health has been declining among school students in recent years. Reports indicated
tliat even sub-clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression can negatively influence their
satisfaction and performance in life . Hence the prime objective is to study ’•''ACADEMIC
STRESS AND ITS EFFECT ON PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ADOLESCENT
GIRLS'- . Purposive sampling technique was adopted among 30 students studying in Higher
Secondary schools in Chennai. A structured questionnaire pertaining to the objectives of the
study was framed and used. The results analysed through percentage analysis showed that
majority (80%) of students faced mental symptoms of stress due to absence of sense of humour
almost daily and many of them felt as if nobody is there to care for them (67%), whereas about the
half the respondents (47%) had poor memory and 40 percent of the selected students could not pay
attention in class due to tiredness almost daily. Nearly 47 percent of students sometimes felt lack of
self confidence and poor concentration. On considering the physical symptoms o f stress , it is
apparent that majority (87%) o f the selected students have revealed heart palpitations and
diarrhoea /'constipation , selected students felt chest pain almost daily (83%). More than three
fourth of the students (77%) had nausea/vomiting, fainting and frequent urination almost daily, and
73 percent of the selected students almost daily had breathing problems and trembling (70%).
Identifying real potential with proper usage of time and energy along with strong supportive
netw'ork consisting of parents at home and teachers in school could effectively bring down the
symptoms of stress and promote well being among students.