Relationship between Perceived Stress and Creativity in Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress and creativity among adolescent students. The research question focused on understanding the nature and extent of the relationship between stress levels and creativity in this population. The study also examined hypotheses related to the significant relationship between stress and creativity, as well as the differences in creativity and stress levels between adolescent girls and boys. A survey method was adopted to collect data from a random sample of 110 school-going students (55 girls and 55 boys) in classes 10th to 12th. The participants were provided with questionnaires that measured creativity and stress levels. The Kaufman Domains of Creativity Scale (K-DOCS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were utilized, both consisting of closed- ended questions on a Likert scale. The results indicated a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.313, p < 0.01) between stress and creativity. The findings suggest that as stress levels increase, creativity tends to increase as well. This correlation was not likely due to chance. Stress can stimulate individuals to explore new solutions and perspectives, leading to more creative ideas. However, the study also acknowledged that other factors, such as personality traits and environmental influences, could influence this relationship. The study further analyzed the differences in creativity and stress levels between girls and boys. The results of an independent sample t-test showed no significant difference in mean stress levels between the two groups. However, girls reported slightly lower stress levels compared to boys. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in mean creativity levels between girls and boys. Girls reported slightly higher creativity levels compared to boys. These differences could be attributed to societal expectations and gender roles. In conclusion, this study revealed a positive correlation between stress and creativity among adolescent students. It also highlighted that girls may experience lower stress levels and higher creativity levels compared to boys, albeit the differences were not statistically significant. These findings contribute to understanding the dynamics of stress and creativity in adolescence and emphasize the importance of considering individual and gender differences when examining these factors.