The Impact of Workload, Social Support, and Coping Mechanisms on Stress Levels among University Students: A Sociological Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of workload, social support, and coping mechanisms on stress levels among university students from a sociological perspective. The purpose of this research is to examine how these three factors contribute to students' stress and identify the role that social support and coping strategies play in mitigating stress caused by academic demands. Using a survey questionnaire, data were collected from a sample of university students in Pakistan. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis to test the hypothesized relationships between the variables. The findings revealed that workload positively influences stress levels, suggesting that higher academic demands lead to increased stress. Conversely, social support and effective coping mechanisms were found to have a negative impact on stress, indicating their crucial role in reducing students' stress levels. The results underscore the importance of balancing academic workloads, promoting social support systems, and teaching coping strategies to improve students' well-being. This study provides valuable insights for educational policymakers, administrators, and mental health professionals to develop interventions aimed at reducing stress among university students. It highlights the need for institutional strategies that address workload pressures and enhance support and coping resources.