Impact of Stress on Academic Productivity; A Micro Study Focusing University Students of Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of stress on the academic productivity of university students. For this purpose, a sample of 509 university students was taken from different provinces of Pakistan with different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. The Principal Components Analysis technique was used to construct the variables. Using ordinary least squares (OLS), the study revealed that financial, social, and mental stress have a negative impact on the academic productivity of students, whereas educational stress in the form of quizzes, assignments, presentations and so and forth and, employment stress to secure a decent job after completion of a degree have a positive and significant impact on the academic outcome. The demographic variables indicate that students of rural areas are negatively affected by social stress, but the impact is insignificant, while students of public universities are experiencing a positive and significant effect of social stress on their academic performance. Moreover, male students experience more social stress and it has a negative impact on their studies. The provision of more scholarship and internship opportunities along with psychologist support from universities can be effective in reducing stress among students.