This research aimed to explore the experiences of academic stress and coping mechanisms among married postgraduate students within the Sunyani Municipality. Employing a case study design, a purposive sampling technique was employed to select a cohort of 22 married postgraduate students in their first and final years from the Faculty …
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This research aimed to explore the experiences of academic stress and coping mechanisms among married postgraduate students within the Sunyani Municipality. Employing a case study design, a purposive sampling technique was employed to select a cohort of 22 married postgraduate students in their first and final years from the Faculty of Education at the Catholic University College of Ghana, Fiapre. Data collection was facilitated through in-depth interviews (IDIs), and thematic analysis was conducted on the gathered data. The findings of the study unveiled several key stressors faced by married postgraduate students, including financial responsibilities, time limitations, and challenges arising from partner expectations. These stressors frequently led to difficulties in managing academic commitments, hindrance in participating in group study sessions, irregular lecture attendance, and financial constraints. The research also disclosed that the repercussions of stress on academic pursuits encompassed challenges in effective study management, reduced involvement in collaborative learning, compromised lecture attendance, and financial predicaments, among other implications. Moreover, the impact of stress extended to marital life, manifesting as diminished quality time spent with partners, breakdowns in communication, marital conflicts, decreased sexual satisfaction, financial strain, and the struggle to strike a balance between academic responsibilities and family commitments. The investigation additionally highlighted coping strategies employed by married postgraduate students, such as relaxation techniques, sleep, bathing, and prayer, among others. In light of these findings, the study concludes that married postgraduate students confront a significant degree of stress that exerts a notable influence on both their academic journey and marital relationships. Consequently, the study underscores the necessity for educational institutions to implement targeted interventions and support services tailored to address these stress-inducing factors.
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