A Comparative Study of the Perceived Stress Levels and Sources of Stress among STEM and Conventional Students in Egypt

Abstract

Egypt's educational system, comprising public and private institutions across all levels, faces multiple issues affecting its quality, equity, and relevance. A recent study by Egypt's Ministry of Health identified that 29.8% of high school students experience mental health problems like anxiety, speech defects, depression, stress and tension, emphasizing the significance of addressing such concerns. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a random sample study of 130 students from the STEM and conventional educational systems in Egypt to compare their perceived stress levels. An online Arabic questionnaire was shared with the targeted population over a period of two weeks. The questionnaire included inquiries about academic and demographic information as well as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Respondents were asked about their personal information, academic performance, extracurricular activities, average studying hours, and perceived stress levels. The PSS-10 assessed stress levels based on questions covering coping, control, unpredictability, and overload. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Major findings revealed that STEM students suffer from higher stress levels than conventional students, mainly due to fewer hours of sleep. Additionally, significant differences were found in stress levels between male and female students across the sample. These findings underscore the need to address academic pressures and establish appropriate mental health screening in STEM schools to mitigate negative emotional effects. They are crucial in developing effective strategies for minimizing student stress levels, and educational institutions should utilize this data to assess their curriculum and make any necessary changes.