The Abouserie Study (1994)

Question 1

What were the 3 aims of the Abouserie Study?

Answer 1

1. To identify sources of stress in university students.
2. To examine gender differences
3. Consider roles of locus of control and self esteem in stress

Question 2

What was the procedure of the Abouserie Study?

Answer 2

A large number of students completed questionnaires about their academic stress, life stress, self esteem and locus of control.

Question 3

What were the 4 findings of the Abouserie Study?

Answer 3

1. Females were more stressed than males.
2. Students with external loc had greater academic stress than those with internal loc.
3. Low esteem led to higher stress
4. In students, academic stress was greater than life stress

Question 4

What were the conclusions of the study?

Answer 4

1. Students are more affected by academic stress, than life stress.
2. External loc is associated with higher stress levels, whereas internal is with less.
3. Abouserie’s findings support his assumption that locus of control affects some stresses.

Question 5

What are 2 strengths of the study?

Answer 5

1. A large sample size in the method increased generalisability
2. The conclusions show the importance of counselling in coping with academic stress.

Question 6

What are the 2 weaknesses of the study?

Answer 6

1. In self reporting methods, there’s a chance of socially desirability bias.
2. The students were from one university so results might not apply more widely.