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Academic Context and Perceived Mental Workload of Psychology Students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2014

Susana Rubio-Valdehita ,
Ramón López-Higes  and
Eva Díaz-Ramiro
Susana Rubio-Valdehita*
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Ramón López-Higes
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
Eva Díaz-Ramiro
Affiliation:
Universidad Complutense (Spain)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Susana Rubio Valdehita. Departamento de P.E.T.P. II: Psicología Diferencial y del Trabajo. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Campus de Somosaguas. 28223. Madrid (Spain). Phone: +34–913943230. E-mail: srubiova@psi.ucm.es
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Abstract

The excessive workload of university students is an academic stressor. Consequently, it is necessary to evaluate and control the workload in education. This research applies the NASA-TLX scale, as a measure of the workload. The objectives of this study were: (a) to measure the workload levels of a sample of 367 psychology students, (b) to group students according to their positive or negative perception of academic context (AC) and c) to analyze the effects of AC on workload. To assess the perceived AC, we used an ad hoc questionnaire designed according to Demand-Control-Social Support and Effort-Reward Imbalance models. Using cluster analysis, participants were classified into two groups (positive versus negative context). The differences between groups show that a positive AC improves performance (p < .01) and reduces feelings of overload (p < .02), temporal demand (p < .02), and nervousness and frustration (p < .001). Social relationships with peers and teachers, student autonomy and result satisfaction were relevant dimensions of the AC (p < .001 in all cases).

Keywords

academic contextworkloadNASA-TLXpsychologyuniversity students
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 17 , 2014 , E53
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2014 

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