Factors that Influence B.Ed. Students' Level of Stress in Multidimensional Interaction with Their Environment in Kenyan Public Universities

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the factors that cause stress among traditional Bachelor of Education degree program students' in Kenyan public universities. A survey of the literature on university students' level of stress reveals that the numerous student's disruptions associated with wilful destruction of property in campus, possibly is an expression of stress, an area not yet addressed by university administrators. In carrying out the study, the study site was at Kenyatta University and the College of Education and External Studies (CEES) (Kikuyu Campus University of Nairobi) among the Bachelor of Education students. The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study participants were 373 undergraduate (227 males, 146 female) students. Data was collected through the Social Demographic Questionnaire (SDQ) and a validated Daily Stress Inventory (DSI). After gathering relevant data, a descriptive and correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between stress and performance, as well as burnout and performance. The findings of the study revealed that, it was not university life that was the most pertinent source of stress in their lives. Rather, interpersonal, personal competencies, varied stressors and environmental hassles were identified as amongst the highest sources of daily stress for the students.