Strategies college students use to manage difficult or stressful life events

Authors

Kristi Lewis, Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Behavioral Studies at James Madison University, Virginia, USAFollow
Gayle Roux, College of College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines at the University of North Dakota, USAFollow
Catherine Dingley, School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USAFollow

Abstract

College students often face many difficult or stressful personal life events such as academic pressure, financial worries, family stress, or a relationship breakup. These events can impact their mental health and academic performance. Amid the growing mental health crisis on college campuses, it is important to explore the strategies that college students employ to tackle challenging life events. The purpose of this study was to 1) explore how college undergraduates experience and manage difficult or stressful personal life events; and 2) examine strategies and resources utilized by the students. A descriptive phenomenological study (Giorgi, 2009) using semi-structured interviews was conducted during the 2021-2022 academic year. The study participants included ten college students enrolled at a large public university in the U.S. Results revealed four patterns: 1) taking time to ponder, 2) seeking social support, 3) engaging in the art of self-caring, and 4) accepting and refocusing. The findings demonstrated that students used both self-directed and college resources for support to enhance their well-being from a positive strengths-based perspective. Implications are to facilitate student development, to manage difficulties and increase resources in the college environment to enhance academic achievement, mental health, and quality of life.

Keywords

stressful life events, difficult life events, strength-based strategies, college students

Author Bio(s)

Kristi Lewis is Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, College of Health and Behavioral Studies at James Madison University.

Gayle Roux is Professor in the College of College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines at the University of North Dakota.

Catherine Dingley is Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the College of Health and Behavioral Studies at James Madison University as part of an educational leave for Kristi Lewis in the Spring of 2022.

Publication Date

8-22-2025

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2025.6691

Recommended APA Citation

Lewis, K., Roux, G., & Dingley, C. (2025). Challenging life events of undergraduates. The Qualitative Report, 30(7), 4041-4056. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2025.6691