Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
This study examines the incidence of academic stress and its determinants on mental health among university students. It employs a comparative approach to evaluate the role of academic stress as a predictor of mental health outcomes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a mixed-methods a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2445968 |
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| author | Patricia Gasser Alberto Grajeda Juan Pablo Cordova Isabel La Fuente Pamela Cordova Hernán Naranjo Alberto Sanjinés |
| author_facet | Patricia Gasser Alberto Grajeda Juan Pablo Cordova Isabel La Fuente Pamela Cordova Hernán Naranjo Alberto Sanjinés |
| author_sort | Patricia Gasser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the incidence of academic stress and its determinants on mental health among university students. It employs a comparative approach to evaluate the role of academic stress as a predictor of mental health outcomes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research surveyed students using standardized instruments to measure academic stress and mental health. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted at two time points, drawing on responses from undergraduate students at a private university in Latin America. The primary objectives were to quantify academic stress levels and their stressors, evaluate mental health status, and explore this relationship during these periods. Data collection yielded 1,265 and 707 valid responses for each respective period, employing the Academic Stress Inventory and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form for assessments. Findings indicated high stress levels among students, regardless of the pandemic phase, with notable stressors including teacher, exam, results, group work, peer, time management, and self-inflicted stress. The post-pandemic phase revealed changes in the impacts of stressors, with self-inflicted stress, group work, and time management stress showing significant relevance to mental health. The study highlights the challenge of academic stress on mental health, urging educational institutions to address pressures and provide support mechanisms for student well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2a0a42141f4c43538e86fe6b7dc97494 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2331-186X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cogent Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-2a0a42141f4c43538e86fe6b7dc974942025-08-20T02:46:18ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Education2331-186X2025-12-0112110.1080/2331186X.2024.2445968Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemicPatricia Gasser0Alberto Grajeda1Juan Pablo Cordova2Isabel La Fuente3Pamela Cordova4Hernán Naranjo5Alberto Sanjinés6Department of Organizational Psychology, Universidad Privada Boliviana, Cochabamba, BoliviaCenter for Innovation in Information Technology for Education, Universidad Privada Boliviana, Cochabamba, BoliviaNeuromarketing Laboratory, Universidad Privada Boliviana, Cochabamba, BoliviaDepartment of Organizational Psychology, Universidad Privada Boliviana, Cochabamba, BoliviaResearch Center on Economics and Business, Universidad Privada Boliviana, Cochabamba, BoliviaData Analysis Center for Innovation and Academic Quality, Universidad Privada Boliviana, Cochabamba, BoliviaAcademic Direction Undergraduate Programs, Universidad Privada Boliviana , Cochabamba, BoliviaThis study examines the incidence of academic stress and its determinants on mental health among university students. It employs a comparative approach to evaluate the role of academic stress as a predictor of mental health outcomes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research surveyed students using standardized instruments to measure academic stress and mental health. Cross-sectional analyses were conducted at two time points, drawing on responses from undergraduate students at a private university in Latin America. The primary objectives were to quantify academic stress levels and their stressors, evaluate mental health status, and explore this relationship during these periods. Data collection yielded 1,265 and 707 valid responses for each respective period, employing the Academic Stress Inventory and the Mental Health Continuum-Short Form for assessments. Findings indicated high stress levels among students, regardless of the pandemic phase, with notable stressors including teacher, exam, results, group work, peer, time management, and self-inflicted stress. The post-pandemic phase revealed changes in the impacts of stressors, with self-inflicted stress, group work, and time management stress showing significant relevance to mental health. The study highlights the challenge of academic stress on mental health, urging educational institutions to address pressures and provide support mechanisms for student well-being.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2445968Academic stressmental healthCOVID-19 pandemicself-inflicted stresscross-sectional analysisStudy Skills |
| spellingShingle | Patricia Gasser Alberto Grajeda Juan Pablo Cordova Isabel La Fuente Pamela Cordova Hernán Naranjo Alberto Sanjinés Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic Cogent Education Academic stress mental health COVID-19 pandemic self-inflicted stress cross-sectional analysis Study Skills |
| title | Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full | Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_fullStr | Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_short | Mental cost in higher education: a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic |
| title_sort | mental cost in higher education a comparative study on academic stress as a predictor of mental health in university students during and after the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | Academic stress mental health COVID-19 pandemic self-inflicted stress cross-sectional analysis Study Skills |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2445968 |
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