FACTORS OF ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG STUDENTS IN A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KEPONG, KUALA LUMPUR: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Academic stress has become the greatest health obstacle as it adversely impacts students’ physical and psychological health. This study explored the factors of academic stress among students in a primary school in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A Focus group interview was conducted with 20 students to explore the factors of academic stress. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to interpret data from focus group interviews. The result revealed ten superordinate themes; (1) academic overload; (2) difficulty in-class work; (3) examinations anxiety; (4) poor relationship with friends; (5) bullying; (6) high expectations; (7) social comparison; (8) domestic violence; (9) physical and verbal abuse in school and (10) laissez-faire. The findings of this research to make a valuable contribution by gathering deeper understandings and help curb the impact of stress associated with primary school, especially in the Malaysian context.