Stressors and coping mechanisms of college scholarship grantees: A quantitative case study of an island higher education institution

Abstract

The literature is rich with studies on stressors and coping mechanisms. However, studies specifically focusing on stressors and coping mechanisms of college scholarship grantees are scarce. Scholarship grantees seem to have a different case as compared to regular college students in terms of maintaining their grade weighted average. Geographical seclusion, as a case, was not fully considered as a variable in existing studies about stressors. This study addressed this gap by hypothesizing the relationship between stressors and coping mechanisms used by college scholarship grantees in an island state college. It used a quantitative, non-experimental case study design of 262 college scholars from various courses. Using a three-part reliable questionnaire, this study found out that when faced with a certain stressor, the college scholars tend to use specific coping mechanism. Hence, a significant relationship exists between exposure to a stressor and the extent of using coping strategies. Moreover, college scholars have the greatest extent of exposure to personal social and academic stressors, as they are obliged to maintain their good academic standing to sustain their scholarship grants. Religiosity emerged to have been the most extensive coping mechanism. Results have ramifications to Guidance and Counseling, stress management program among college scholars, and future researchers along this field.