Abstract:
Introduction: Nursing students experience high levels of stress during their study period which lead to
psychological distress, poor academic outcomes, and high attrition rates. Coping strategies are used to
deal with stress during their studentship. Emotional intelligence helps reduce stress and lessen effects
of stress and found to be strongly associated with academic achievement, critical thinking, peer learning
and help-seeking.
Objective: To assess perceived stress, coping strategies and emotional intelligence among nursing
students at school of Nursing, Colombo.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 382 second- and third-year nursing
students. Data were collected by online self-administered questionnaires. Validated Perceived Stress
Scale, Brief Cope Scale and GENOS concise Inventory were used to collect perceived stress, coping
strategy and emotional intelligence among participants respectively. Data were analysed using
descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Nearly 72% of the participants had the moderate levels of stress and 52% of the participants
had lower levels of emotional intelligence. The participants reported the use of adaptive, rather than
maladaptive coping strategies. A significant negative correlation was found between perceived stress
and emotional intelligence (r = -0.322, p=0.001). Statistically significant differences were identified
between level of emotional intelligence and gender (p =0.049).
Conclusions: Study shows a moderate level of stress and low level of emotional intelligence among
Nursing students. Also, students used adaptive coping strategies more often than maladaptation. Future
research is needed to explore the development, application, and evaluation of strategies to reduce stress
and enhance emotional intelligence in nursing education.
