Transactional Model of Stress and Online Graduate Education for Social Workers

Abstract

Students pursuing a graduate degree in social work online face a challenging academic journey that requires intellectual ability and emotional resiliency (De las Olas Palma-Garcia et al., 2014; Moore et al., 2015; Ratcliff, 2024). The Transactional Model of Stress provides a valuable framework for understanding how students perceive and respond to stressors (Lazarus, 1993). This article examines the stress levels experienced by graduate social work students in online education, utilizing the Transactional Model of Stress to explore coping mechanisms. By applying the Transactional Model of Stress, this article provides insights into how students appraise and cope with stress, offering recommendations for educators to design supportive online learning environments that foster resilience and enhance student well-being. The findings underscore the need for proactive interventions to help students navigate the complexities of online graduate education and reduce the impact of stress on their academic and personal lives.