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Stress Perception of Higher Education Students: A Socioeconomic Analysis of Stress-Related Demands and Resources During Two Different Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Meier, Dennis H.

    (Leibniz University of Hannover)

  • Thomsen, Stephan L.

    (Leibniz University of Hannover)

  • Kroher, Martina

    (Leibniz University of Hannover)

Abstract

The number of students experiencing mental health problems has risen across Europe in recent years. Besides a detrimental effect on study success, there may be lasting negative consequences. Because mental health problems can arise due to chronic perceived stress, we focus on students’ stress perceptions. Based on two large-scale student surveys in Germany, we investigate stress perceptions during two phases of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 and 2021), when different restrictions were in place. The empirical results—obtained by estimation of structural equation models—show that academic workload was constantly the main stress factor for students in both years. Financial stress was especially significant during the economic restrictions in 2020, accounting for more than one-third of the impact of academic workload. In addition to personal resources, social contact proved to be a buffer against perceived stress. During the social restrictions in 2020, increased social contact—when possible—significantly reduced perceived stress, lowering it by one-quarter relative to academic stress. The results also show an association between perceived stress, decreased life satisfaction, and a higher risk of dropping out of higher education.

Suggested Citation

  • Meier, Dennis H. & Thomsen, Stephan L. & Kroher, Martina, 2025. "Stress Perception of Higher Education Students: A Socioeconomic Analysis of Stress-Related Demands and Resources During Two Different Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic," IZA Discussion Papers 18180, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18180
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sybren Slimmen & Olaf Timmermans & Kalina Mikolajczak-Degrauwe & Anke Oenema, 2022. "How stress-related factors affect mental wellbeing of university students A cross-sectional study to explore the associations between stressors, perceived stress, and mental wellbeing," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(11), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Vera M A Broks & Karen M Stegers-Jager & Jeroen van der Waal & Walter W van den Broek & Andrea M Woltman, 2022. "Medical students’ crisis-induced stress and the association with social support," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(12), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Tino Lesener & Leonard Santiago Pleiss & Burkhard Gusy & Christine Wolter, 2020. "The Study Demands-Resources Framework: An Empirical Introduction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Laura M. Wade-Bohleber & Carmen Duss & Aureliano Crameri & Agnes von Wyl, 2020. "Associations of Social and Psychological Resources with Different Facets of Chronic Stress: A Study with Employed and Unemployed Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-17, July.
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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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