Date of Graduation

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Ruth Kershner

Abstract

Increased stress is a common problem in students enrolled in medical and allied health college programs. The negative effects of stress can result in physical and psychological illnesses, in addition to negatively impacting a student’s academic performance. The purposes of this study were to (1) determine the stress level of the occupational therapy students, (2) determine the social provisions (social support) experienced by the students, and (3) determine the relationship between stress levels and various predictors, such as marital status and grade level. The sample of convenience (n= 69) included 54 traditional and 15 distance education occupational therapy students enrolled in an entry-level Master’s program in West Virginia. The subjects were asked to complete an anonymous online survey that contained questions regarding various demographic data and two reliable and valid instruments: the Student-life Stress Inventory and the Social Provisions Scale. The data indicated that the occupational therapy students were moderately stressed, especially in the first year of the program. Perceived social support was determined to be higher for the distance education students than for the traditional students. These findings suggest the need for research to determine the true sources of the students’ stress as well as programming to address stress management while enrolled in the OT program.

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