Effects of Work and Life Related Stress on Academic Performance. A Case of Post Graduate Masters Distance Students at UNILUS

Abstract

This study was undertaken with the main aim of exploring the effects of work and life related stress on academic performance of postgraduate masters distance students at UNILUS. The study specifically focused on the effects of role overload, long working hours, financial pressures, and parental responsibilities on academic performance. Quantitative research methods and a descriptive and correlational research designs employed. The study also adopted the positivism research philosophy and a cross-sectional time horizon. A total of 150 questionnaires were handed out using the random sampling and voluntary response sampling techniques. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire involving Likert scale questions and secondary data was collected using journals and reports. Data was analyzed using excel and SPSS. The study revealed a positive relationship between role overload, long working hours and parental responsibilities and academic performance (GPA) that was statistically significant. However, the study also revealed that despite the positive relationship between financial pressure and academic performance, the relationship was not statistically significant. The respondents’ further revealed stress negatively affected other aspects of their academic life such as class attendance, academic morale, continuous assessments, and concentration and engagement during classes. Based on these findings, recommendations such as university support systems, employer partnerships, peer support systems and academic workload management were proposed to help reduce work and life related stress and improve academic life of students. Key words: academic performance, role overload, long working hours, financial pressure, parental responsibilities