Academic stressors perception according to the motivational orientation to goals in university students

Abstract

The target of the research was to find out if academic stressors perception could change according to the motivational orientation to the student’s goals. With a sample population of 468 university students, 62.4% female and 37.6% male, and an average age of 21.82 years old (DT=3.13). Through a conglomerate analysis, the research obtained five groups of approximation goals and avoidance to learning and performance. That, in some cases, combined multiple goals. Opposite to the approximation groups, with a much minor threat perception before the academic exigencies, the avoidance groups expressed a greater vulnerability to stress. Except for the learning avoidance group with a low quality perception of the stressors and a strong indifference towards all related to the academic field. The obtained results, in general, inform us that the origin of this sort of stress is not related as much with the fulfilment of responsibilities, but with the breach or absence of compromise with the work they demand. These are typical manifestations of the students orientated towards avoidance.