Abstract:

A major issue in high school is the lack of attention towards student mental health, contrasting nonathletes and athletes. There is a major gap of research comparing the stress levels and coping abilities of athletes and non athletes demonstrated in certain situations. This paper explores the different coping styles in relation to stress and participation in sports of students who attend high school in X county. The researcher used survey research to collect data for this study. This allowed the researcher to be able to identify patterns and establish connections with the two groups, non athletes and athletes.The major findings from this study include: 1) Both non athlete and athlete students had a perceived stress level score of the exact same amount, determining that they are equally stressed. 2) Non Athletes scored higher for negative coping skills while the athletes scored higher for the positive coping skills. It can be inferred that the student athlete population studied seemed to have a more positive coping scheme. 3) More Non Athletes answered that their coping skills were not successful while the athlete population believes that theirs do work. Further research would be able to help determine the background of the stress and give opportunities for students with unsuccessful skills to learn how to positively and successfully cope.

Keywords: high school students, stress, coping strategies, athlete, non athlete.