Low academic performers rate higher on stress scale, finds NIMHANS study

At a time when decimal point differences decide one's college, a NIMHANS study indicates the need to incorporate stress management in schools.

Representational image | Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

In recent years, there has been alarming increase in social, parental and institutional emphasis on academic performance. A new study done among high school students has shown that students who do not do well in academics are prone to higher stress.

Textbook-focussed teaching is becoming the norm of the day and the rank of the performer holds a higher value rather than skill sets. Psychologists have observed that children and adolescents are facing enormous anxiety and stress in the course of their academic programmes, leading to poor mental and physical health.

A team of clinical psychologists from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (NIMHANS) here conducted the study to assess stress levels in twenty high school girl students: ten were high- rankers and ten low-rankers.

The researchers first built rapport with the children. They then gave them a psychological test called Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), which involved answering a questionnaire. The electrical activity of brains of the students was done using Electroencephalography (EEG). It was ensured they were calm before beginning the study. Data was collected using two methods – PSS and by the electrical response of the brain in specific areas using EEG readings.

PPS is a standard psychology tool or method where the individual is given a 10–item questionnaire based on life events for the past one month of their lives to which they provided detailed answers. The results showed that the students from the `low-rank’ group had higher Perceived Stress Scale values than those who did better academically.

The researchers then took EEG recording of the students for 10 minutes each: 5-minute eyes closed, and 5-minute eyes opened. EEG is a reliable, non-invasive method, which records the brain’s electrical activity with the help of probes placed at different points on the scalp.

“The brain’s electrical activity is divided into four bands. Each band represents a mental state of the individual. We found significant readings in two bands called Alpha and Beta. The Alpha band is prominent during relaxation, while the Beta band involves conscious thought and logical thinking with a stimulative effect, and takes prominence during high arousal, anxiety and stress,” explained Dr Jamuna Rajeswaran, Head of Clinical Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Centre at NIMHANS, while speaking to India Science Wire.

The team observed that top ranking students had significantly higher Alpha (63.83%) and lower Beta (36.17%) activity and the low rankers, lower Alpha (37.5%) and higher Beta (62.5%) activity.

“This is an exploratory study. The results imply that there is a need for stress management programmes in schools. In future, we intend to include socio-demographic factors like gender, region, educational level also,” she added.

The research team included Rajnish Kumar Gupta, Cathlyn Niranjana Bennett, Amitabh Bhattacharya and Abhineet Ojha, besides Dr.Rajeswaran. The study results have been published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Psychology.

This article was originally published in India Science Wire.