Explainable Machine Learning for Multiclass Stress Prediction Using Questionnaire Data

The abrupt transition to Emergency Remote Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly elevated psychological stress among higher education students. Yet, most existing research studies have either identified factors contributed by COVID-19 as stress predictors or general stress perceived as a result of the pandemic. Moreover, these studies predominantly employ binary stress detection using generic psychometric instruments, excluding stressors related to Emergency Remote Learning as a ped