Physiological and Psychological Indicators Associated with Stress in University Students / Indicadores Fisiológicos y Psicológicos asociados al estrés presentes en estudiantes universitarios

Resumen

Introduction: Stress is defined as an adaptive reaction of the organism to the demands of its environment. It is a punctual stimulus, aggressive or not, perceived as threatening to homeostasis. When the stress is due to academic processes by mechanisms of adaptation of the subject, it is known as academic stress (Pulido et al, 2011). Stress is one of the most frequent physical and mental health problems nowadays due to excessive academic workload.
Objetive: The objective of this study was to identify the factors that trigger academic stress in students and their relationship with physical indicators such as heart rate and galvanic skin response, whose application was made to students from the Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora Navojoa campus. Where it was intended to observe if the stressors that trigger the stress in university students were related.
Method: A quantitative approach was used with a non-experimental design of a transversal type with a descriptive scope. The population consisted of 2450 students and the sample was 250 selected by an intentional non-probabilistic sampling. The Inventory for Cognitive Systemic Academic Stress (SISCO) was used to measure psychological indicators. A pulse sensor, placed in the earlobe, was used to measure physiological reactions, translating the information of heart rhythms, monitored by the Inner Balance application. Another indicator used was the galvanic response of the skin, which was carried out by applying two electrodes placed on the second and third fingers, monitored with the eSense application.
Results: From the results of this research, it can be concluded that there is a relationship between the factors described by the instrument, which can be explained in such a way that, if the subject presents physical reactions related to stress, he or she will also have psychological and behavioral reactions.