Mental health, gender, and higher education attainment

Abstract

We compared the mental health of higher education students with that of nonstudents. Moreover, we examined whether the mental health of students predicts their probability of obtaining a higher education degree, and whether the extent to which mental health affects educational attainment varies by gender. Drawing on a risk and resilience framework, we considered five facets of mental health that may be implicated in distinct ways in the educational attainment process: positive attitude towards life, self-esteem, self-efficacy, negative affectivity, and perceived stress. We used data from a nationally representative panel study from Switzerland (Nstudents = 2070, 42.8% male; Nnonstudents = 3755, 45.9% male). The findings suggest that overall, the mental health of higher education students was relatively similar to that of nonstudents, although students exhibited slightly higher self-esteem, slightly weaker self-efficacy, greater negative affectivity, and higher levels of perceived stress. The effects of different facets of mental health on higher education degree attainment were mostly statistically and/or practically insignificant. However, positive attitudes towards life had a substantial positive effect on the probability of being awarded a higher education degree. Mental health was equally important for male and female students’ educational attainment.

Mental health and educational attainment: How developmental stage matters.

“…By extension, this also signifies that mental health may involve imperfect human functioning in certain domains without necessarily impairing individuals’ capacity to achieve their full potential. We all occasionally experience aversive affective states, have negative thoughts, and function less well than usually in certain domains (Burger & Strassmann Rocha, 2023). Such experiences do not systematically harm longer-term educational trajectories although they can jeopardize individuals’ functional adaptation in the face of challenges and risks.…”

“…Mental health is the result of a complex interplay of environmental and social influences, neurodevelopmental, genetic, and psychological processes (Burger & Strassmann Rocha, 2023). It refers to the capacity of emotion, thought, and behavior that enables individuals to realize their own potential relative to their developmental stages.…”

Análisis comparativo de autoestima en estudiantes universitarios del cantón Riobamba

“…(8) De manera confirmatoria, otros estudios indican que los hombres exhiben mayor autoestima e inclinación a demostrar inhibición emocional o tendencia a la no expresión o represión de las emociones. (11) Por lo que, en relación con el sexo, se han encontrado algunas diferencias escasas pero significativas en la autoestima, con menores niveles entre las mujeres (12).…”