Stress, coping and well-being in Lebanese entering college students

Abstract

Session presented on: Tuesday, July 23, 2013:

Purpose: A theoretical framework for adolescent coping has been developed but not tested in contexts of high uncertainty. This study aimed to test the applicability of the Seiffge-Krenke model to Lebanese entering college students.

Methods: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used to explore the relationships of stress, uncertainty, resilience, religiosity, socioeconomic status, social support to coping and well-being in Lebanese newly admitted college students. A sample of 293 college students enrolled in a private university completed a self-reported survey.

Results: Results indicated that future, school, self, and parents were the most stressful situations experienced. Increased stress was correlated with low social support, low resilience and withdrawal coping. Stress related to self, resilience, uncertainty, social support, withdrawal coping and gender accounted for 54% of the variance in well-being.

Conclusion: Results provide a better understanding of predictors of well-being in Lebanese youth and are valuable in developing culturally sensitive interventions.