Differences in coping between men and women university students

Abstract

At present, there is a little body of studies that assess university academic stress from a gender view. This project seeks to explore the differences between men and women in the coping strategies adopted in response to academic stress situations. Cross-section ex post factum simple prospective study was used. The sample comprised a total of 2102 students selected among different university specialties (Education Sciences, Health Sciences, Social and Legal Sciences, and Technical Sciences), 647 men and 1455 women, aged between 18 and 51 years old (M = 21.11; SD = 3.31). We measure coping strategies by using the Academic Stressors Scale (A-CEA). The results of this study show that men use to apply positive reassessment and planning as ways for coping academic stress. By contrast, women tend to use search for support strategy. Possible reasons for such differences, and some ways for intervention in academic stress reduction are discussed.