Comprehensive Analysis of Stress Factors in UK College Students

This research project investigates the stress levels of college students, specifically focusing on King's College London in the UK. The project aims to identify the factors contributing to increased stress among students, including academic pressure, financial concerns, and social issues. Through a literature review, the study examines existing research on student stress, exploring the prevalence of mental health issues like anxiety and depression. The project outlines the research design, including data collection methods such as questionnaires, and discusses the ethical considerations and limitations of the study. The findings will be used to recommend effective strategies to help students cope with stress and improve their overall well-being. The project also includes a Gantt chart for project management and a questionnaire used for data collection.

Research
Project

TABLE OF CONTENT
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Formulating and recording possible research project outline specification..........................3
1.2 Identification of factor contributing in the process of research project................................5
1.3 Undertaking critical review...................................................................................................5
Stress level of college students in UK.........................................................................................5
Factors increasing the stress level of college students................................................................6
Parameters to detect the stress level of college students.............................................................7
1.4 Producing research project specification..............................................................................7
Research design...........................................................................................................................8
Research approach......................................................................................................................8
Data collection............................................................................................................................8
Sampling.....................................................................................................................................9
Data analysis...............................................................................................................................9
Ethical issues...............................................................................................................................9
Limitations of the study............................................................................................................10
1.5 Gantt chart...........................................................................................................................10
2.1 Matching resources to the research questions.....................................................................11
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................11
2.2 and 2.3 Undertaking proposed research investigation by recording and collating data......11
3.1 and 3.2 Research evaluation techniques with interpretation and analysis of results...........12
3.3 Recommendation.................................................................................................................19
Covered in PPT.........................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................23
QUESTIONNAIRE...................................................................................................................23

TASK 1
1.1 Formulating and recording possible research project outline specification
Introduction
A major reason behind stress is a combined pressure from certain internal and external
factors that together creates a pressurizing state in the individuals to cope up with a balanced
situation among both. It is mainly in context to a large number of young individuals who are at
their adolescent age and leading one of the best time of their life (Coughlan, 2015). It is hereby
with a special reference to the college students who are presently pursuing their education.
However, this contemporary era along with some leading progressions is together reflecting yet
another complex dimension where many individuals in their such enthusiastic phase of life are
unhappy.
It is where these are together referred to be a critical period for them where they are
constantly surrounded by depression, stress and anxiety where several students are together
trying hard to get rid of it (Reifman, 2011). For which, they are making a prompt use of stressors
as a way of checking their ability to cope up with any such difficult situation where they are
either required to adapt a new environment or balance a dense work load, etc. Additionally,
many of them are often going through this situation when trying to make new friends or referring
to become more independent and dealing with countless number of issues.
Background of the study
The present investigation is based upon a similar consideration where the stress level of
college students in the King's College of London, UK has been studied. This is after having a
close view of the above specified facts, it has been found that the college students are mostly
encountered with major number of challenges in their routine lives. As a result to which, this
survey associates with a pivotal idea of creating a spirited environment in the elected college so
as to assist their students to get rid of such a challenging phase of their life (Henriques, 2014).
For which, this scrutiny has firstly referred to disclose the challenges that contributes to a greater
level of stress and in case it is not being dealt on time, then can cause terrible impact on student's
attitude. This in turn can also hinder into their scholarly performances by together influencing
their social and emotional well being in a negative manner. This study will thus attempt to
identify the factors causing stress in the college students of King's by together revealing some

effective strategies through which they can effortlessly cope up with an unhappy life by not
getting into a distressed situation.
Research Aims And Objectives
These are the leading foundation of a survey that duly aids the investigator to reach attain
the targeted goals of the study in a guiding manner. It subsequently assists in framing certain
likely queries in the mind of the scholar to reach out the actual intent of the survey in a
considerable way. Below outlined are the aims, objectives and questions to conduct this research
work:
Aim-
The current study is aimed “To critically determine the factors leading to increase the
stress level of college students in UK- A study on King's College London”.
Objectives-
It is on the basis of above targeted goal where the surveyor will be carrying out this
investigation based upon certain well defined objectives to eventually reach to the leading aim of
the study where below stated are the undertaken objectives-
 To analyse the stress level of students in King's College London.
 To assess those factors that are increasing the stress level of college students.
 To discover the parameters by which such increased stress level of students in King's
College London can be easily detected. To recommend some effective ways through which the college students can overcome
their stress level.
Research question-
These queries are in turn evident to assist the researcher to carry out a well defined study
by directionally reach to its specified aims and objectives where the questions are as mentioned
below-
 What is the level of stress in the students of King's College London?
 What are the factors that tend to increase the stress level of college students?
 What are the parameters by which the increased stress level of students in King's
College London can be detected?

1.2 Identification of factor contributing in the process of research project
This section is to especially identify the factors that has a huge contribution in the study
and has reflected to a major reason behind the selection of the research topic. Accordingly, a
rising depression in the students pursuing education from colleges along with some increasing
cases of self-destruction, etc., have reflected an immediate requisition of surveying into the
elected subject matter (Baghurst and Kelley, 2014). Wherein, this study will be carried out in a
step wise manner with a foremost recognition of the stress level that is currently prevailing in the
college students of a chosen educational institute in UK named King's College London. After
which, it will together refer to address those factors that in turn leads to such distressed life of a
college student. Additionally, it will also tend to analyse the parameters by which such enhanced
stress level of college students can be detected. Lastly, it will together refer to suggest some
impelling ways by which such situation of stress can be duly overcome.
1.3 Undertaking critical review
This section has critically reviewed distinct standpoints of different authors with a prime
intent of referring to the undertaken objectives of this study with an ultimate achievement of its
targeted goal. For which, below is a thematic representation of this unit to analytically explore
the bestowed opinions of dissimilar authors with a distinct perspective of each.
Stress level of college students in UK
It is in accordance to the conferred view of Arbona and Jimenez (2014), where it is in
evidence to some conducted studies in UK where 1 out of 4 students are apparently suffering
from some sort of mental trauma and distress. This in turn makes it difficult fir them to even lead
their routine life in a proper manner with a vital existence of female patients suffering from this
illness. It is with an enumerated ration of 34% females in opposition to 19% males who are
dealing with a similar state of depression. With an analogous reference to it, 77% students have
been referred to face depression related issues with 74% college goers who are dealing with a
high level of anxiety that in turn creates behavioural issues in them. Many of them are seemingly
dealing with eating disorders along with certain developmental issues and a disabled state of
learning.
Coiro, Bettis and Compas (2017) with a distinct viewpoint have referred anxiety and
stress to be the two most common traits of college students in today's contending world where
the educational sector with its enhancing measures are continually framing varied strict policies

for their students. It is also in context to the curriculum of the university that is day by day
getting hard to improve the developmental state of the students to a great extent. It is referred to
be a tact adopted by the concerned officials of the universities where they are referring it to be an
evolutionary measure for the students to quickly grasp newer set of ideas with sharp cognitive
skills. It is however creating an alternate impact on most of the students who are taking such
fastening changes in a negative manner by failing to match its superiority.
Factors increasing the stress level of college students
It is on referring to the presented views of Orcutt, Bonanno, Hannan and Miron (2014),
where stress and anxiety are duly associated with such impeding factors that in turn increases its
level to a great extent by together causing several health related issues in them. It is where a
large set of students with an enumerated statistics of 77% have reported the fright of getting fail
in examination to be a major cause behind their increased level of stress. It is in relation to the
expectation of their parents and tutors who often have high level of expectation from their
students without understanding a prior requirement of addressing such fearful sense in them.
Warren and Rios (2013) have hereby argued upon yet another concerning factor in the
college students in support of 7 out of 10 that is near about 71% who are highly distressed from
the work they are getting from the university on daily basis. Also, it has been reported that 63%
of the college students in UK are together troubled due to some of their personal issues where
there exists a lot of interferences in their lives. It is therefore referred to be a reliant factor where
it usually depends upon the mental state of the students where all of them are commonly referred
to have a distinct perception from each other. Where, this in turn reflects distinct set of priority
that are being given by them to a particular situation.
Dinzeo, Thayasivam and Sledjeski (2014) have together presented an argued consent
over the above two factors identified over here with a major emphasise on 39% of students who
are often distressed due to the concern of finding a good job after completing their studies. It is
with yet another set of 35% students who have been detected to be in stress because of their
families and 21% who are unhappy with their jobs and relationships or friends, etc. It is thence
on combing all above identified factors that tends to increase the stress level of college students,
it has been found that there exists various such constituents that in turn influences the stress level
of the college students to a great extent.

Parameters to detect the stress level of college students
According to Beiter and et. al. (2015), psychological stress in the college students is at a
higher pace where a lot of people are getting engrossed towards it. It has thereby led to several
investigations to explore the elements that are constantly raising the stress level of college
students. In this regard, many such factors have been probed out by various academic scholars
such as leaving home for education at a small age. As a result to which, they are often required to
stay without parents in an unknown location that reflects a completely different socio cultural
background in which they feel difficult to adjust with limited or no companion's at all. It is
however leading to create a stressful surrounding around them where many depressed students
also attempts to destruct their life.
O’Bryan, McLeish, Kraemer and Fleming (2015) have hereby provided a resolution to
get rid of such instances where the educational institutes should hereby tend to make a prompt
use of such parameters that helps them to detect any such fateful incident. For this, arranging
counsellings is referred to be one of the most effective way to acknowledge the realistic state of
the students where the college authorities may together refer to involve some impelling modules
like time management and healthy relationships, etc. Also, arranging particular sessions for the
students to converse with their parents, friends and relatives along with campus stress
management resources will together help them to get rid of any sort of frustration and emotional
stress, etc.
Metzger and et. al. (2017) with an argued consent over it have given a major emphasise
to the arrangement of stress management classes where the students will be given tips to avoid
any sort of distress. It is by together teaching them about the practice of self assessment through
which they can themselves interpret a distressed sense in them. This can be done by referring to
some defined parameters that indicates four primary sources of stress along with three definite
symptoms, that is physical, emotional and cognitive to detect the same.
1.4 Producing research project specification
This section has defined the undertaken techniques of research adopted by the
investigator to carry out an appreciable study with applicable tools and measures. Below
delineated are the investigative methods used by the surveyor to conduct the recent study
arranged to determine the factors leading to increase the stress level of college students in UK-

Research design
It is represented as the blueprint of the study that will greatly contribute in the overall
extent of the research. A pertinent selection of design is in turn evident to assist the surveyor to
take some effortless decisions for further selections of research techniques. Herein, there are
usually three leading designs that are often considered by the investigators namely descriptive,
exploratory and explanatory (Coleman, 2013). The current study will be thus based upon an
exploratory survey with some newly generated ideas by the researcher over here. However, the
other two measures called descriptive and explanatory are not supportive in context to the recent
subject matter where it has been carried to determine the factors increasing the stress level of
college students.
Research approach
This is yet another leading tact that tends to specify the formulated plan of the
investigator to conduct the study. There exists two leading measures for the same namely
inductive and deductive approach where both of these are apparent to outline the overall scope of
the research topic (Saldanha and O'Brien, 2014). It is therefore in concord to the present topic of
this study, an inductive approach has been chosen by the surveyor so as to move from a specific
to general approach. This formulation is proven to intensify the overall range of the research
work where another alternative approach called deductive is in turn known to lessen down the
overall range of the study. It is mainly due to its transversal where such study tends to move
from general to specific approach that is not assistive to investigate the chosen subject matter.
Data collection
It is another most important consideration of a surveyor that demonstrates a prime
requisition of gathering a relevant set of data to reach the undertaken aims and objectives of the
research work. There exists two leading measures for collecting a liable set of data by opting for
primary and secondary methods of data collection. It is where the primary data will be collected
by directly interrogating the students of King's College London so as to determine the factors
that increases their stress level (Jones, 2013). This will be done with the help of a questionnaire
by conducting a survey to interrogate the targeted set of respondents. Wherein, the secondary
data collection will be done by referring to the information concentrated from earlier studies. For
which, the researcher in the present study will refer to some authenticated books, journals,
magazines and verified internet sites depicting genuine information.

Sampling
It is yet another relative concern allied with the above selected measure of data collection
where a sampling will duly assist the researcher to appropriately distribute the targeted
respondents of the study. Herein, there are two leading measures of sampling namely random
and purposive sampling where the surveyor in the current research work have selected a
purposive method to proportionately distribute the study respondents (Koro-Ljungberg, 2015). In
context to which, 100 students of King's College London have been chosen over here to
interrogate the framed set of queries to them. However, the random method have not been
selected due to a leading consideration of this investigation where it is specifically conducted for
the students of King's College London.
Data analysis
This section is to evaluate the above collected information to evaluate the findings with a
chosen method. There are two leading measures of data analysis namely qualitative and
quantitative where the present investigation will be based upon a qualitative analysis of the
outcomes (Christ, 2014). It is mainly due to the research topic of the current study where those
factors will be determined that leads to escalate the stress level of college students. A thematic
evaluation is thus referred to be a supportive matrix for the same in context to the selected
alternative of qualitative analysis. It is also due to a subjective nature of the chosen research
topic where it won't get assessed by the quantitative method that involves using varied objective
tools like mean, mode, median and SPSS software, etc.
Ethical issues
Ethics is referred to be a foremost consideration of the researcher to carry out a well
defined study by promptly following some moralised principles for the same. This involves a
significant concern of the investigator to take a prior permission of the targeted study
respondents to contribute a willing participation in the survey. It is where the surveyor must not
attempt to make a forceful pressure on them to participate in the investigation (Marini,
Cunningham, Xirouchakis and Corney, 2016). Beside this, there includes yet another ethical
consideration of the researcher to use proper citation in work supported by genuine resources.
Lastly, securing the obtained responses from the responders is together referred to be an
important consideration where any unauthorised body not relating with the study should not be
permitted to use it.

Limitations of the study
There together exists certain limiting factors in the research work that duly hinders the
study to a great extent and for which the entire study gets affected in a negative manner. A
limited period of time along with a confining budget is hereby referred to be two such restricted
factors for which the investigator is duly required to carry out a projected research work
(Murray, 2014). Here, Gantt Chart is referred to be most considerate measure by which the
researcher can hereby refer to breakdown the work in small activities and allot a deadline to each
one of it. In this way, the undertaken study will be duly accomplished on the stipulated time
period with no impeding factor in it. Apart from this, to manage the controlled budget, the
method of activity based costing is referred to be the most effective way in which each of the
activities will be allocated an estimated budget to complete the task within it. The present
research work have portrayed a correspondent investigation where the surveyor have effectively
handled the constraining elements.
1.5 Gantt chart
It is referred to be one of the most efficient way to undertake a planned study with some
projected activities that are required to be completed within a stipulated deadline (Lovegrove,
Hodson, Sharma and Lanham-New, 2015). In context to which, below is the depiction of a Gantt
Chart used by the surveyor over here to conduct a systematic research work and by which the
ultimate goals can be obtained at the end. It has together ensured the investigator to easily
destruct one of the most restrictive factor of time whose scarcity often obstructs the entire study
to a great extent.
Key Activities
Week
1
Week
2 & 3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8 & 9
Week 10 Week 11
Preparation of
Introduction
Literature Review
Collection of
Secondary
Information

Examination of the
Collected Data
Research Design
Research
Methodology
Acquiring Primary
Data
Analysing Primary
and Secondary
Data
Conclusion and
Recommendations
Completion of
Leftover Work
Revision and Draft
Final Submission
2.1 Matching resources to the research questions
It is basically to correspond to the resources available to frame the research questions and
collate both of them to verify their alignment. It is therefore in context to the present
investigation where the researcher will hereby refer to determine those influential factors that in
turn raises the stress level of college students to a great extent (Popa and Popa, 2017). It is
however carried out by selecting an educational institute situated in UK named King's College
London. Wherein, 100 of their students were interrogated with the help of a questionnaire and
survey based method with a prior consent of the concerned officials in King's College. This
reflected the primary resources of data collection where the secondary sources have together
made a substantial existence with ample resources to carry out a guiding study.

TASK 2
2.2 and 2.3 Undertaking proposed research investigation by recording and collating data
This is to describe the undertaken research where it was duly conducted to determine the
factors that in turn increases the stress level of college students to a great extent with a special
consent of investigating a similar state of affair in King's College London. Wherein, the
proposed study was based upon primary and secondary sources of data collection to gather
relevant set of information from both of these resources (Corno and Anderman, 2015). Herein,
the primary data was collected by directly interrogating the students of the elected college,
whereas, the secondary information has been reflected in the section of literature review. It is
where distinct views given by different authors have been critiqued by the surveyor to attain the
undertaken aims and objectives of this study.
3.1 and 3.2 Research evaluation techniques with interpretation and analysis of results
This section has referred to depict the responses acquired from the respondents by
together evaluating and interpreting them thematically.
Theme 1: Stress relieving methods
What is your method of relieving stress?
Number of
respondents
Listening to music 11
Eating 15
Drinking 28
Smoking 20
Drugs 15
Others 11