This study investigates the relationship between academic stress and academic performance among private university students in Kelana Jaya Selangor, focusing on UNITAR International University. A quantitative approach was employed, with data collected from 102 students through a 25-item structured questionnaire. SPSS software was used for analysis, with Pearson correlation employed to assess the relationships between independent and dependent variables. The research aims to understand how these factors influence academic outcomes. The findings revealed significant positive correlations for all three factors. Heavy academic workload showed a strong positive correlation with academic performance (r = 0.781), (p < 0.05), suggesting that increased workload may enhance students' time management and study skills. Financial stress also exhibited a positive correlation (r = 0.648), (p < 0.05), indicating that financial pressures might motivate students to achieve higher grades. High academic expectations and competition were moderately correlated with academic performance (r = 0.613), (p < 0.01), implying that a competitive academic environment fosters better performance. These results highlight the potential benefits of certain stressors in motivating students to excel academically. However, it is crucial to balance these stressors to ensure student well-being. Future research should explore the mechanisms behind these relationships and investigate strategies to support students in managing stress effectively while enhancing academic performance.
Hussain et al. (2025) studied this question.