Perceived Stress and Assertiveness among Young Adults

Abstract

From a psychological perspective, there are a large number of challenges faced, and they are violence, chronic illness, health care access which are milestones and often distinct from both adolescents and adults. The common behaviour of these individuals is influenced by the context of the larger world that is rapidly evolving with all the stressors that they encounter in day-to-day life. Assertiveness is often considered as the balance point between passive and aggressive behaviour, and being assertive also means one should respect the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of other people. In the present study, the researcher had attempted to assess the relationship between perceived stress and assertiveness among young adults belonging to colleges in India and to study the gender difference in their perceived stress and assertive levels. The data was collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Rathus Assertiveness Schedule for adults (RAS) from a sample of 104 college students of age group ranging from 18-23 years. The study found that there was no significant relationship between their perceived stress and assertiveness. The study also found that there was no significant gender difference in perceived stress among college students, although females had higher perceived stress levels than males, whereas in case of assertiveness, no significant gender difference was found with respect to gender, although the males showed higher assertive behaviour.