Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Michelle A. Sandrey.

Abstract

Context. Studies on freshman athletes stress levels and mechanisms of coping are lacking in frequency. This study is being performed to further the knowledge base dealing with stress and coping in the freshman collegiate population Objective. The purpose of this study is to identify the levels of stress and the mechanisms of coping with stress among male freshman Football and Soccer athletes. Design. First design will be a 1X3 factorial design for stress using the Quick Stress Questionnaire (QSQ). The second design will incorporate descriptive statistics using percentages to examine coping via the Brief COPE Questionnaire (BCQ). Setting. This study will be performed at Waynesburg University. Patients and other participants. 80 athletes will be included in this study from a sample of convenience at Waynesburg University. There will be no assignment or randomization of subjects, nor will a control group exist. Subjects will be based on the number of football and soccer athletes that volunteer to be in the study. Interventions. The questionnaires included consist of the Brief Cope Questionnaire (BCQ), the Quick Stress Questionnaire (QSQ), and ten demographic questions used to gather responses. These will be administered at three time points throughout the semester in a pre, mid, and post test fashion utilizing a lecture located in Stewart Hall at Waynesburg University. Main outcomes measures. There will be a significant difference in the levels of stress during the three time points among freshman male football and soccer athletes. There will be a difference in the number and types of positive and negative coping mechanisms described by freshman male Football and Soccer athletes based on the responses from the questionnaires. Athletes will experience significantly higher levels of stress when comparing the pre-test to post-test, followed by the pre-test to mid-test, and lastly the mid-test to post-test. Based on the responses male freshman football and soccer athletes will employ more negative coping mechanisms when comparing the pre-test to post-test, followed by the pre-test to mid-test, and lastly the mid-test to post-test. Finally, based on the responses male freshman football and soccer athletes will employ more avoidance coping strategies when comparing the pre-test to post-test, followed by the pre-test to mid-test, and lastly the mid-test to post-test. Results. A significant difference was noted in regards to Social/Personal relationships in the athletic population (F1,43 = .179, p = .025, ES = .084, beta-1 = .686). No other significant differences were noted based on the statistical analysis of the Quick Stress Questionnaire. Percentage of responses for the QSQ indicate that all levels of stress never exceeded a low to moderate status. It was also noted based on the results of the Brief Cope Questionnaire that athletes employ more positive coping mechanisms than negative coping mechanisms. Conclusion. Based on the results of this research study, students experienced more stress at the time of pre-test questionnaire administration than at the mid test or post-test. Also, athletes at Waynesburg University employ more positive coping mechanisms than negative coping mechanisms. However, there is a need for further research in this area.

Download

Share

COinS