THE EFFECTS OF STRESS, DEPRESSION, AND ANXIETY ON POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS COPING STRATEGIES

Previous investigations of college students have suggested that depres sion and anxiety are commonly reported symptoms of stress. This study investigated the effects of general stress, depression, and anxiety on students' strategies for coping with perceived demands. At 4 times du ring the academic year, 94 first-year students stratified by age and g ender completed standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and copi ng and an open-ended questionnaire on demands and coping. Results show ed an increase of stress and depression symptoms during the year Emoti onal distress and depression were related to greater use of disengagem ent coping, however, depression did not distract students from problem -focused coping. Some age and gender differences were found in student s' use of disengagement as a coping strategy. Recommendations are give n for student support services in postsecondary settings.