Abstract

The study aimed to examine the moderating effect of optimism, social support, stress coping strategy in the relationship between school adjustment and stresses. A sample of 46 undergraduates from North Korean completed a questionnaire composed of measurement scales for school adjustment, college life stresses, acculturative stresses, optimism, social support and stress coping strategies - emotion-focused, active problem solving, and seeking help from others. Results indicated that school adjustment was explained largely by acculturation stresses and stress coping strategies. Also, it was found that stress coping strategies played a moderating role in the relationship between school adjustment and acculturation stresses. Finally, the findings were discussed in relation to relevant theories and research, and their implications for cultural adjustment and limitations of the present study were suggested. (Korean J Str Res 2009;17:285∼293)

• Keywords: Undergraduates from North Korean, College life stress, Acculturative stress, Optimism, Stress coping strategy;