Comparing stress levels and coping styles in college athletes and non-athletes

The way individuals manage their stress levels impacts their everyday functioning. In addition to general life stressors, college athletes and college students have athletic and academic performances riding on their ability to cope with the wide variety of daily stressors. This study aimed to primarily look at the differences in stress levels and coping styles between college athletes and non-athletes. Additionally, the current research examined gender differences between the two groups regarding coping styles. College athletes did not report higher levels of perceived stress nor more positive coping styles than non-athletes as measured by the COPE questionnaire. There were significant gender differences in specific types ofwith regard to coping styles as females reported using more negative coping styles. The results of this study are an important stepping-stone towards more extensive research into the differences and similarities of the stress levels and coping styles of these two groups.