Personality, Coping and Stress Among University Students

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between personality, coping strategies, and level of psychological stress. Participants consisted of 148 university students from a private university college in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Leonard Personality Inventory (LPI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and COPE Inventory were used. The results revealed that participants who have high analytical personality dimension were more likely to use problem-focused coping. Those with high relational and low openness personality dimension were more likely to use socially supported coping strategies. Contrary to expectation, level of psychological stress was not influenced by personality. However, higher level of psychological stress was related to avoidant and socially supported coping strategies. Findings may be beneficial to mental health professionals in helping university students to manage their stress.