College Student Stressors: A Review of the Qualitative Research

Hurst, Carrie S.; Baranik, Lisa E.; Daniel, Francis

doi:10.1002/smi.2465

Cited by 312Student Stress and CopingHigher Education Research StudiesStress and Burnout Research

College Student Stressors: A Review of the Qualitative Research

Hurst, Carrie S., Baranik, Lisa E., Daniel, Francis·2013·Stress and Health

DOI 10.1002/smi.2465

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Abstract

A total of 40 qualitative studies were reviewed and coded according to the college student stressors they represented. These studies utilized a variety of qualitative methods to examine stressors representing the following themes: relationships, lack of resources, academics, the environment, expectations, diversity, transitions and other stressors. Relationship stressors were the most commonly reported theme and covered areas including stress associated with family, romantic, peer and faculty relationships. Three of the themes (relationships, diversity and other) are novel categories of stressors compared with quantitative reviews on the topic, highlighting the importance of gathering both quantitative and qualitative pieces of information. This review contributes to the stress literature by synthesizing and identifying trends in the qualitative student stress research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Authors: Hurst, C. S., Baranik, L. E., & Daniel, F.
Affiliations: Tennessee State University (US)
East Carolina University (US)
Belmont University (US)
Corresponding author: Hurst, Carrie S.
ORCID: Baranik, Lisa E.
Venue: Stress and Health
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-10
Volume: 29
Issue: 4
Pages: 275-285
ISSN: 1532-2998 (ISSN-L)
1532-3005
DOI: 10.1002/smi.2465
OpenAlex: W1910781562
Cited by: 312
References: 64
Citations by year: 2026: 24 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 38 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3
FWCI: 0.43
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Stress and Health (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Student Stress and Coping
Social Sciences › Education › Higher Education Research Studies
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
Keywords: college student stress, stressors, relationship stress, family relationships, romantic relationships, peer relationships, faculty relations, lack of resources, academic stress, campus environment, student expectations, diversity, transition, qualitative evidence synthesis
MeSH terms: Humans, Psychology, Educational, Social Adjustment, Social Environment, Stress, Psychological, Students, Qualitative Research

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College Student Stressors: A Review of the Qualitative Research

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