The Influence of Stress on Happiness and Mental Health Among College Students

Stress is a pervasive factor that significantly influences the psychological well-being of college students, affecting both their happiness and mental health. This study aimed to examine the impact of stress on these variables by comparing individuals experiencing high and low levels of stress. A randomized sampling technique was used to select 120 college students (60 males and 60 females) from Gondia, Maharashtra. Participants were assessed using standardized tools, including the Mental Health Battery (MHB-SS), Happiness Scale (HS–RHMJ), and Stress Scale by Vijaya Lakshmi and Shruti Narain (2014). The study employed t-test statistical analysis to determine the significance of differences between high-stress and low-stress groups. Results revealed that students with high stress had significantly lower mental health scores (M = 80.61, SD = 5.31) and happiness levels (M = 208.63, SD = 6.58) compared to their low-stress counterparts (M = 92.48, SD = 6.07 and M = 227.48, SD = 7.10, respectively). The findings confirm that stress has a statistically significant negative impact on students’ well-being, highlighting the necessity for effective coping strategies and psychological interventions. The study underscores the importance of mental health support programs to enhance resilience, emotional stability, and overall happiness among college students.