Academic Stress Levels and Perceived Social Support from Peers: among College Students

This suggested study seeks to explore the interconnection between academic levels of stress and perceived peer social support among university students. The transition to college life is filled with various academic challenges that tend to affect students' mental health adversely. At the same time, peer relationships become the central source of social support during this time. With a quantitative, correlational study design, a sample of undergraduate student participants will be asked to complete two standardized instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) to assess academic stress and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure peer support. It is expected that a strong negative relationship will be observed between the two variables such that higher levels of perceived peer social support are linked to lower levels of academic stress. The results of this study may have implications for higher education institutions in establishing targeted support services and peer-administered interventions to enhance student resilience and academic achievement.