Academic Stress Among High School Students- Prevalence and Determinants: A Cross-Sectional Study in the UAE

Abstract

Plenty of research has examined the prevalence of academic stress among university students; however, few studies have examined it among high school students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of academic stress among high school students in Ajman, UAE, and to identify factors associated with this stress. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected via a validated self-administered questionnaire from 270 high school students. The questionnaire was based on a modified version of the Academic Stress Scale. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle variables were assessed, with multivariate logistic regression used to identify key predictors of high-to-extreme stress. 69.9%, reported mild to moderate levels of academic stress, while 30.4% reported “High to Extreme” levels. Additionally, students in the Eastern Mediterranean Region reported high levels of academic stress, with 59.7% at "mild-moderate" and 40.3% at "high-extreme". Interestingly, gender, age, grade, and smoking status showed no significant association with stress levels. However, lifestyle factors, including physical activity, meals per day, sleep duration, shower temperature, and social media screen time, were significant predictors (p-value < 0.001). It was concluded that academic stress is highly prevalent among adolescents in Ajman and is strongly associated with modifiable lifestyle behaviors. Cross-sectional studies, United Arab Emirates.