Statement of the problem. A review of the literature on stress reveals research which examines the nature, sources, and stress coping responses of college students. However, the majority of the studies include instruments which have been validated using participants from the western world which have resulted in conclusions about stressors and recommended ways to minimize stress based on western views and beliefs. This research investigated the results of the use of western designed stress coping instruments and stress awareness sessions in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa.
Methodology. A three group pretest and posttest design was used to examine a convenience sample of three groups of undergraduate students (n = 158) attending universities in Cote d'Ivoire. For the pretest, each group completed the French version of the Coping Resources Inventory for Stress (CRIS-French) and a French translation of the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI-French). The Stress Coping Lessons Group (n = 45) participated in five 30 minute stress awareness seminars and received individualized interpretive reports (in English) based upon responses on the CRIS-French pretest. The Self-Directed Group (n = 43) received individualized interpretive reports (in English) based upon their responses on the CRIS-French pretest. The Control Group did not participate in stress awareness seminars nor did they receive individualized interpretive reports. All three groups completed the CRIS-French as a posttest within five to six weeks after the pretest.
Results. The mean gain scores of the three groups were tested using multivariate analysis of variance on the CRIS primary and composite scales, and the results were not found to be significant at $p<.05$ (F = 1.023, p =.439). Further investigation of the mean gain scores revealed significant increases in the following scales: (1) Self-Disclosure, (2) Social Support, and (3) Social Ease.
Conclusions. The results indicated the effectiveness of western-designed stress awareness and coping lessons in a nonwestern location to improve stress coping resources. In general, the study indicated that the use of western designed instruments was appropriate for the measurement of stress coping and test anxiety in a nonwestern location, although areas for modifying resources were noted.
