University Students’ Stress Coping Strategies and Future Anxiety: A Descriptive and Correlational Study

Abstract

In this study, the aim is to examine the relationship between university students' methods of coping with stress and their future anxiety. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted using data obtained from 334 associate and undergraduate students at Bartın University between February 1, 2023, and April 30, 2023. Each survey was planned to be completed in an average of 15 minutes. The data collection form included questions about sociodemographic characteristics in the first part, and the Stress Coping Styles Scale and Future Anxiety Scale for University Students in the second part. Data were collected through online survey tools. Analysis of the study data was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics were reported with numbers, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Correlation analyses were used to compare research variables. The research found a relationship between students' future anxiety levels and various factors. It was concluded that women have higher levels of future anxiety compared to men, men score higher in the submissive approach sub-dimension than women, and some variables significantly influence anxiety levels. Based on these results, it is concluded that it is important to develop psychological counseling and guidance services to reduce students' future anxiety and to promote a healthy mental structure.