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Document Type

Article

Keywords

helplessness, coping inefficacy, transactional theory, gender, age

Publication Date

2-20-2026

Abstract

Drawing on Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping, this study examined the associations of age, gender, three types of social support (family, friends, and significant others), and mental toughness with two dimensions of perceived stress (helplessness and coping inefficacy) among 666 college students majoring in Kinesiology. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that male college students, as well as those with higher levels of mental toughness and family support, reported significantly lower levels of helplessness and coping inefficacy in managing stress. Additionally, greater support from friends was significantly associated with lower levels of coping inefficacy, while younger students reported significantly higher levels of helplessness. Finally, support from significant others did not make a significant contribution to either dimension of perceived stress. Notably, mental toughness was the most influential predictor for coping inefficacy and the second most influential predictor for helplessness. The findings suggest that strengthening mental toughness and family support can effectively buffer perceived stress among Kinesiology students. Given that the two dimensions of perceived stress model provides researchers and educators with deeper and more comprehensive insights into how college students experience stress, we recommend its adoption in future studies.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.2.2.boisestate

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