Abstract des Autors

The study examined the impact of coping strategies on environmental stressors experienced by undergraduate students of University of Maiduguri living off-campus. As a result of shortage of hostel accommodation, most students prefer places off-campus with cheaper rent rates. Students in these residences are faced with challenges of environmental stressors. Stress being a cumulative phenomenon, is known to build over time. These environmental stressors are inimical to students’ ability to function well in their academic endeavours. The coping strategies; psychological training, somatic relaxation, hobby activities, prayer and drugs were used by both student-athletes and non-athletes. Nine hundred and seven (N=907) students were sampled. Athletes 294 (32.4%) and non-athletes 613 (67.6%) with a mean age of 24 ± 3.86. independent t-test was computed to compare the mean difference between athletes and non-athletes and MANCOVA was computed with age of students as covariate. Significant difference were found between athletes and non-athletes on their coping strategy (t=13.237, df; 905; p<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between male and female students in terms of their coping strategies (t=2.860, df; 905; p>0.05) statistical significant difference was observed between athletes and non-athletes on environmental stressors with athletes being more tolerant to the stressors (t= -1.141, df; 905; p<0.05). The MANCOVA showed significant difference between athletes and non-athletes as age of the students was held as covariate. Apparently, the athletes who have their accommodation off-campus are better disposed to the environmental stressors than non-athletes. There was no gender difference in terms of environmental stressors or coping strategies. It is therefore recommended among other things that the University should evolve sports activities that would foster large number of students’ participation.