INVESTIGATING ACADEMIC BOREDOM AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS AT NONG LAM UNIVERSITY, HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Abstract

The present study examined the strategies used by English major students to cope with boredom at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 427 students from 7 batches (2016-2022) participated in the study. The data from a questionnaire was collected and analyzed through SPSS version 22.0. The Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) was used to assess levels of academic boredom, while the Coping with Boredom Scale (CBS) measured students' boredom coping strategies. It was found that the participants experienced moderate levels of boredom, with Inattention and Disengagement as the main contributing factors. The most frequently used coping strategies were the cognitive approach and behavioral approach. There was no significant distinction between male and female students in terms of using coping boredom strategies. Correlations between boredom aspects and coping strategies were also examined using correlational analysis. Pedagogical recommendations for ESP lecturers were also discussed in the paper.The present study examined the strategies used by English major students to cope with boredom at Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A total of 427 students from 7 batches (2016-2022) participated in the study. The data from a questionnaire was collected and analyzed through SPSS version 22.0. The Multidimensional State Boredom Scale (MSBS) was used to assess levels of academic boredom, while the Coping with Boredom Scale (CBS) measured students' boredom coping strategies. It was found that the participants experienced moderate levels of boredom, with Inattention and Disengagement as the main contributing factors. The most frequently used coping strategies were the cognitive approach and behavioral approach. There was no significant distinction between male and female students in terms of using coping boredom strategies. Correlations between boredom aspects and coping strategies were also examined using correlational analysis. Pedagogical recommendations for ESP lecturers were also discussed in the paper.