A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS, LOCUS OF CONTROL, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SELECTED INSTITUTIONS OF UJJAIN, MADHYA PRADESH

Abstract

Background

Mental health among university students has emerged as a significant public health concern due to increasing academic pressures, career uncertainties, social expectations, and personal challenges. Psychological factors such as perceived stress, locus of control, and emotional intelligence play a crucial role in determining students' mental health status.

Objectives

1. To assess levels of stress, locus of control, emotional intelligence, and mental health among graduate and postgraduate students.
2. To examine the relationship between stress and mental health.
3. To determine the association between locus of control and mental health.
4. To evaluate the relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health.
5. To identify predictors of mental health among students.

Methodology

A descriptive correlational research design was adopted. The study was conducted among 300 graduate and postgraduate students selected through stratified random sampling from selected institutions of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale, Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis.

Results

The findings revealed that 42.0% of students experienced moderate stress and 31.3% experienced high stress. Emotional intelligence demonstrated a significant positive correlation with mental health (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), whereas stress exhibited a significant negative correlation with mental health (r = -0.71, p < 0.001). Internal locus of control was positively associated with mental health (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that stress, emotional intelligence, and locus of control collectively explained 63% of the variance in mental health scores.

Conclusion

Stress, emotional intelligence, and locus of control are significant determinants of mental health among university students. Interventions aimed at reducing stress and strengthening emotional intelligence and internal locus of control may improve psychological well-being.