ACADEMIC STRESS AND SOCIAL ANXIETY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN

Abstract

Previous studies have pointed out various ways in which university education predisposes
students to psychological challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress and general poor health.
Stress and Social anxiety have been found to relate to diverse factors influencing academic
performance and well-being of students. This study investigated academic stress and social
anxiety among undergraduates of University of Ilorin. Descriptive survey was adopted to gather
data for the study using academic stress and social anxiety scale. The instrument was validated by
experts in the Department of Counsellor and its reliability was ascertained through the test retest
method. The reliability results of the two scales yielded 0.94 and 0.96 respectively. A total sample
of four hundred and twenty (420) undergraduates participated in the study. The data obtained
were analyzed using percentages. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used to test the
null hypotheses generated. Results indicated that larger percent of undergraduate students in
University of Ilorin reported high stress level. A significant proportion of the students experienced
high level of social anxiety. Respondents differ in their expression of stress level on the bases of
class level, mode of entry and type of home. The level of social anxiety of undergraduates in the
university is impacted by their age, gender, home type, study level and programme of study. It was
recommended that University counsellors should take into consideration study level, mode of
entry and type of home in designing and implementing stress management and social anxiety
intervention programmes.