Leisure activity and coping with the stress of university life

Abstract

Students within a university setting are experiencing life transitions that may be difficult to manage. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between leisure, time pressure and managing stress in undergraduate and graduate students at a public southeastern university. The main findings indicate that perceived stress and time pressure are associated; that leisure activity is used to manage stress but not necessarily reduce it; that higher stress is associated with a greater propensity to utilize mood enhancing leisure activities; and that upperclassman and graduate students are more likely to cope by seeking companionship through their leisure than freshman and sophomores. These findings make a case for further research on why and how these factors are associated and suggest that leisure time and activity are relevant variables for students and others concerned with managing the stress of university life.