To Study Personality Traits and Coping Strategies as Predictors of Digital Stress in University Students

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between personality traits, coping strategies, and digital stress among university students (N = 200). Participants completed the Big Five Inventory-44, Brief COPE Inventory, and Digital Stress Scale. Neuroticism positively correlated with digital stress (r = .268, p < .001), while conscientiousness showed a negative correlation (r = –.230, p = .001). Avoidance coping was the strongest predictor (r = .463, p < .001), followed by emotion- focused coping (r = .339, p < .001) and problem-focused coping (r = .258, p < .001). The study found no significant correlations between personality traits and coping strategies. Multiple regression revealed these variables accounted for 34% of the variance in digital stress (R² = .340, p < .001), emphasizing the importance of coping behaviors and personality in stress outcomes.