GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMMON STRESS AMONG POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN THE MARATHWADA REGION: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract: Stress is a prevalent psychological concern among students in higher education and has a significant impact on academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. The present study aimed to examine gender differences in common stress among Postgraduate students. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of 150 Postgraduate students, including 75 male and 75 female students, selected randomly from higher education institutions. Data were collected using a self-designed stress questionnaire that assessed common stress levels among students. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, along with an independent t-test, were used to analyze the data.

The results revealed that female students experienced higher levels of common stress compared to male students. The mean score for common stress among male students was 24.67 (SD = 6.04), whereas female students recorded a higher mean score of 28.78 (SD = 5.22). The calculated t-value of 2.89 was found to be statistically significant at the 0.05 level, indicating a significant gender difference in common stress levels. These findings suggest that female students are more vulnerable to stress, possibly due to greater academic pressure, emotional sensitivity, and socio-cultural expectations. The study highlights the need for gender-sensitive stress management strategies and counseling interventions in higher education institutions to promote students’ mental health and academic success.

Keywords: Gender, Perceived Stress, Postgraduate Students, Marathwada, Mental Health