Stress, Hope, and Resilience among First-year University of Namibia Students

Description

Page: 108-117

Manfred Janik and Terell Boer (Department of Psychology and Social Work, University of Namibia, Windhoek, Namibia, Africa)

The study investigated stress, hope, resilience, and their interrelationships among 258 students at the University of Namibia (UNAM). Gender and age differences in these variables were examined, along with whether hope or resilience accounted for the greatest variance in stress, and if hope mediated the resilience-stress relationship. The Perceived Stress Scale, Adult Hope Scale, and Resilience Scale were employed. Results indicated above-average levels of hope, resilience, and stress. Significant positive large correlations were observed between hope and resilience, hope and competence, resilience and agency, and agency and competence. Significant positive medium relationships were found between resilience and stress, and hope and stress. Hope explained the largest variance in stress and mediated the resilience-stress relationship. Older male students reported higher levels of stress and hope, while older students exhibited greater resilience. Further exploration of positive emotions in stress and optimism bias among Namibian students is recommended.