Impact of Post-Covid-19 Stressors on Coping Mechanisms among Postgraduate Students: Case of Daystar University Nairobi Campus

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly disrupted higher education globally, with long-term impacts persisting beyond the acute crisis phase. While substantial research examined student experiences during the pandemic, limited studies have explored postgraduate students' post-pandemic adaptation, particularly in African contexts. This study examined the impact of post-Covid-19 stressors on coping mechanisms among postgraduate students at Daystar University, Nairobi Campus. Specifically, the study sought to identify coping mechanisms employed, examine post-Covid-19 stressors affecting students, and determine relationships between stressors and coping strategies. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design grounded in the pragmatist paradigm. The target population comprised 648 Master's students from the School of Applied Human Sciences. Using stratified random sampling and proportional allocation, 150 questionnaires were administered, yielding 106 responses (70.7% response rate). Data collection utilized three standardized instruments: the Brief COPE Inventory (α=0.870), Perceived Stress Scale (α=0.692), and Covid-19 Stress Scale (α=0.935), supplemented with qualitative open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Findings revealed that students employed predominantly adaptive coping strategies, with planning (M=6.73, SD=1.41) and active coping (M=6.47, SD=1.45) scoring highest, while maladaptive strategies remained minimal (all below M=3.21). Covid-19 specific stressors fell within the low range (all M<1.99), yet moderate general stress persisted (PSS M=19.12, SD=6.60), with 67% experiencing moderate stress levels. Dominant stressors were work-life balance (27.4%), financial strain (17.0%), and academic pressures (12.3%) rather than health fears. Socioeconomic concerns (M=1.74) emerged as the highest pandemic-related stressor. Self-blame demonstrated the strongest correlation with stress (r=0.392, p<0.01), while adaptive strategies showed weak protective effects. Planning, religion, and social support functioned as stable coping resources with negligible stress correlations. The study concludes that Daystar postgraduate students demonstrate resilience through predominantly adaptive coping but continue experiencing moderate stress driven by socioeconomic pressures and work-life balance challenges. Recommendations include establishing dedicated postgraduate support frameworks, expanding financial assistance mechanisms, enhancing mental health services at the Nuru Counseling Centre, and developing targeted interventions addressing self-blame patterns. The study contributes rare evidence on postgraduate students in an African Christian university context during the understudied post-pandemic phase