A Quantitative Study on the Effects of Stress on Students’ Clothing Selection and Dressing (Published)
This paper adopted the cross-sectional quantitative approach to examine the effects stressful activities have on clothing selection and dressing among students. A sample of 280 university students were reached by adopting the purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Thirty-seven (37) itemized questionnaire was used to obtain information from respondents. The descriptive analysis carried on three main variables presented high mean values of M=2.91, SD=0.14 for Stressful Activities, M=2.92, SD=0.21 for Clothing Selection Mode and M=2.68; SD=0.18 for Clothing Practices to Manage Stress. Results from hypotheses tested indicated positive correlation between stressful activities and clothing (β=0.406; S. E=0.187, p<0.05); stress management practices and clothing selection (β=0.615; S. E=0.065; p<0.05) as well as stressful activities and stress practices (β=-0.321; S. E=0.024; p<0.05). The study recommends that sensitization programmes should be organized for students to create awareness on possible sources of stressors and how to manage them through proper wardrobe planning and clothing management.
Keywords: Stress, Stress Management, academic activities, appearance, clothes, clothing selection