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Academic Well-Being Among STEM University Students Living Away from Home: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Barbara Loera1, Federica Graziano1, Giorgia Molinengo1
1Department of Psychology, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy.
Summary
Student academic experiences significantly impact mental health and academic success in relocated STEM students. Positive teaching experiences correlate with better well-being, while difficulties increase burnout.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Higher Education Studies
- Public Health
Background:
- University student mental health is a growing public health concern, especially in demanding STEM fields.
- Relocated students, including international students, face unique stressors impacting adaptation and well-being.
- This study investigates the link between narrated academic experiences and psychological/academic functioning in relocated STEM students.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between how relocated STEM students narrate their academic experiences and their psychological and academic functioning.
- To identify specific academic experience categories that influence student well-being and performance.
- To inform university mental health promotion strategies.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study at an Italian STEM university.
- Online survey distributed to 33,336 students, with 776 relocated students analyzed.
- Quantitative measures of self-efficacy, burnout, engagement, satisfaction, and goal attainment, alongside thematic analysis of open-ended responses.
Main Results:
- Organizational and learning difficulties were the most common narrated challenges.
- Teaching-related narratives were linked to increased burnout and decreased engagement/satisfaction.
- Positive academic narratives were associated with improved well-being and engagement.
Conclusions:
- Institutional and pedagogical factors significantly influence the well-being of relocated STEM students.
- Narrated academic experiences provide insights into student functioning.
- Findings highlight opportunities for targeted mental health interventions within universities.
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