Study of Stress and Coping Strategies in Competitive Entrance Exams Aspirants Attending Medical and Engineering Coaching Institutes in Delhi

Abstract

Aims: To study the sources of stress of the medical and engineering competitive entrance exam aspirants attending coaching institutes in Delhi. Second, to study stress coping strategies used by the medical and engineering competitive entrance exams aspirants attending coaching institutes in Delhi. Third, to suggest some more stress coping strategies to parents and teachers. Methods: The study was descriptive in nature and cross-sectional study design was used. The study was conducted in August 2019.The population of the study consisted of the students preparing for medical and engineering competitive entrance exams who attend full time coaching institutes in Delhi and also attend their school. The sample of the study was 400 students, 200 each from medical and engineering coaching institutes in Delhi.  A self -designed questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire consisted of two sections, the first section consisted of questions related to sources of stress and the second section comprised of questions related to stress coping strategies practice by the  medical and engineering competitive entrance exam aspirants attending coaching institutes in Delhi .The questions were open ended based on 4 point Likert Scale.The questionnaire was administered to  students and they were asked to fill the questionnaire. A total of 380 students out of 400 completed the questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Frequency and Percentage analysis of each item of the questionnaire was done. Mean score and standard deviation of each item of the questionnaire was compiled.  Findings: The study findings indicated that majority of the students reported academic (48%) and parental (39%) stressors as sources of stress. However personal (8%) and environmental stressors (5%) also contributed as the sources of stress to the medical and engineering competitive entrance exams aspirants attending coaching institutes in Delhi. The aspirants cope stress by using strategies such as practising yoga , listening music, surfing the internet , talking to like –minded people , playing outdoor games , communicating with parents and doing meditation. Some other coping strategies suggested by the researcher are practice visualization, taking calming breathe, practice progressive muscle relaxation, get organised, trying self- hypnosis. Novelty: The study investigates stress and coping strategies in competitive entrance exams aspirants attending medical and engineering coaching institutes in Delhi . It throws light on adolescent’s stress and the coping strategies used by these adolescents; hence the study contributes in providing remedies to handle stress by the parents, students and teachers. The study also provides basis to researchers for further in depth study of stress faced by students preparing for other competitive entrance exams and also to those students who do not attend coaching institutes and still aspires to prepare for competitive exams.