Student stress is a critical issue in the education sector, impacting the well-being and performance of students. To shed light on this topic, I conducted a comprehensive analysis of a dataset that considers various factors affecting student stress. The dataset encompasses approximately 20 features, strategically categorized into five major factors: Psychological, Physiological, Social, Environmental, and Academic.
Descriptive Statistics
- Number of Students in the Dataset: 1,100
- Average Anxiety Level of Students: 11.06
- Number of Students with a History of Mental Health Issues: 542
Understanding the landscape of student stress begins with fundamental statistics. Our dataset comprises 1,100 students, each providing valuable insights into their stress levels and related factors. On average, students reported an anxiety level of 11.06, shedding light on the prevailing stress levels within the dataset. A significant portion of the student population, 542 individuals, have a history of mental health issues, emphasizing the relevance of this issue in educational settings.
Psychological Factors
- Number of Students with Self-Esteem Below the Average: 507
- Percentage of Students Experiencing Depression: 56.36%
Psychological factors play a crucial role in student stress. In our dataset, 507 students report self-esteem levels below the average. This finding suggests that self-esteem is a pivotal aspect of psychological well-being that affects stress levels. Additionally, a remarkable observation is that 56.36% of students report experiencing depression. This percentage implies that some students may report more than one instance of depression, underscoring the substantial psychological challenges students face.
Physiological Factors
- Number of Students Experiencing Frequent Headaches: 331
- Average Blood Pressure Reading Among Students: 2.18
- Number of Students with Poor Sleep Quality: 550
Physiological factors, including physical health indicators, also contribute to student stress. In our dataset, 331 students frequently experience headaches, highlighting the physical toll of stress. The average blood pressure reading among students is 2.18, indicating that a considerable portion of the student population may be experiencing elevated blood pressure, potentially due to stress. Furthermore, 550 students rate their sleep quality as poor, emphasizing the impact of sleep on stress levels.
Environmental Factors
- Number of Students Living in High Noise Conditions: 274
- Percentage of Students Feeling Unsafe in Their Living Conditions: 51.36%
- Number of Students Without Their Basic Needs Met: 40
The environment in which students live and study can significantly affect their stress levels. In our dataset, 274 students live in high-noise conditions, highlighting the disruptive influence of noise on student well-being. Remarkably, 51.36% of students report feeling unsafe in their living conditions, underscoring the importance of safety as an environmental factor. Furthermore, 40 students report not having their basic needs met, emphasizing the significance of these needs in the context of stress.
Academic Factors
- Number of Students with Below-Average Academic Performance: 561
- Average Study Load Reported by Students: 2.62
- Number of Students with Concerns About Their Future Careers: 327
Academic factors are crucial contributors to student stress. In our dataset, 561 students report below-average academic performance, emphasizing the correlation between academic success and stress levels. The average study load reported by students is 2.62, indicating that students often grapple with substantial study demands. Additionally, 327 student’s express concerns about their future careers, suggesting that future uncertainties can contribute to stress.
Social Factors
- Number of Students with Strong Social Support: 0
- Percentage of Students Experiencing Bullying: 32.73%
- Number of Students Participating in Extracurricular Activities: 184
Social factors have a profound impact on student stress. Surprisingly, none of the students report strong social support in our dataset, emphasizing the need for enhanced social networks in educational settings. A striking 32.73% of students report experiencing bullying, indicating the prevalence of this distressing issue. Moreover, 184 students participate in extracurricular activities, reflecting the potential benefits of engagement in extracurriculars as a stress-reduction strategy.
Comparative Analysis
- Correlation Between Anxiety Level and Academic Performance: -0.65
- Correlation Between Sleep Quality and Depression: -0.69
- Percentage of Students with Bullying History and Mental Health History: 4.18%
Comparative analysis provides a deeper understanding of the interplay between factors. A strong negative correlation of -0.65 between anxiety levels and academic performance suggests that higher anxiety is associated with lower academic achievement. Similarly, the correlation of -0.69 between sleep quality and depression indicates that poor sleep quality is linked to higher levels of depression. Furthermore, 4.18% of students report both a history of bullying and mental health issues, highlighting the complex relationship between these two factors.
General Exploration
Psychological Factor
- Feature: Anxiety Level
- Importance: 23.86%
- Feature: Self-Esteem
- Importance: 56.43%
- Feature: Mental Health History
- Importance: 2.04%
- Feature: Depression
- Importance: 17.67%
Physiological Factor
- Feature: Headache
- Importance: 39.12%
- Feature: Blood Pressure
- Importance: 5.18%
- Feature: Sleep Quality
- Importance: 48.75%
- Feature: Breathing Problem
- Importance: 6.95%
Environmental Factor
- Feature: Noise Level
- Importance: 15.87%
- Feature: Living Conditions
- Importance: 11.79%
- Feature: Safety
- Importance: 31.78%
- Feature: Basic Needs
- Importance: 40.55%
Academic Factor
- Feature: Academic Performance
- Importance: 43.21%
- Feature: Study Load
- Importance: 10.07%
- Feature: Teacher-Student Relationship
- Importance: 22.91%
- Feature: Future Career Concerns
- Importance: 23.81%
Social Factor
- Feature: Social Support
- Importance: 9.44%
- Feature: Peer Pressure
- Importance: 18.25%
- Feature: Extracurricular Activities
- Importance: 23.94%
- Feature: Bullying
- Importance: 48.37%
These findings provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to student stress. Self-esteem, sleep quality, and academic performance emerge as significant determinants. Understanding these factors can help educators and policymakers develop targeted strategies to reduce student stress and improve overall well-being.
Conclusion
Student stress is a multifaceted issue influenced by psychological, physiological, social, environmental, and academic factors. This analysis reveals that student stress is prevalent in the dataset, with various factors playing a significant role. Self-esteem, sleep quality, academic performance, and social support emerge as critical factors in understanding and addressing student stress.
To alleviate student stress, it is essential for educational institutions and policymakers to focus on improving self-esteem, creating supportive environments, and implementing strategies that enhance sleep quality and academic performance. Additionally, addressing bullying and providing extracurricular opportunities for students can contribute to reducing stress levels.
This analysis provides a foundation for further research and the development of targeted interventions to support students in managing and mitigating stress, ultimately improving their overall well-being and academic success.