STRESS AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN A RURAL ADULT EDUCATIONAL COOPERATIVE

Low-income students frm an educational cwperative in rural Appalachia answered questions ahout stress levels, health. behaviors, somatic complaints, and other medical-related infomation. Many students reported significant problems stemming from the demands of their education involvements. At the same time, positive effects of working together toward a common goal and learning to meet new challenges successfully were acknowledged. Members of the cooperative were able to formulate helpful responses to these results, such as providing life skills training for student and encouraging the development of ccmmunity resources for intervention and treatment of mental health problems related to stress.