Άγχος, στρες, κατάθλιψη και ακαδημαϊκή επίδοση φοιτητών/τριών -Αντιλήψεις φοιτητών/τριών από το Τμήμα Επιστημών της Εκπαίδευσης και Κοινωνικής Εργασίας

Abstract

The admission of undergraduate students to university marks the beginning of a new life, which is accompanied by many unprecedented changes that affect their mental and emotional health. This paper focuses on exploring mental health issues related to anxiety, stress and depression experienced by undergraduate students during their academic studies and whether these affect and are related to their academic performance. Qualitative research was selected and carried out on a sample of undergraduate students studying at the Department of Education and Social Work in the University of Patras. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview. From the results it was found that the relationship between anxiety/stress/depression and academic performance is direct. Specifically, the participants reported that circumstances such as, university entrance and the subsequent start of student life, financial situation, academic obligations, inability to concentrate, pressure of examinations, pressure from family and from themselves to complete their studies without any extension, are sources of anxiety and stress, which affect them negatively. Also, the participants agree that anxiety, stress, depression have a decisive impact on their academic progress and performance. Nevertheless, student participants believe that the university has the potential to make a more meaningful contribution to improving their mental health, indicating, for example, the importance of communication with teaching staff. Indeed, if the goal is a healthy university, it is important to take into account that only if students are mentally healthy will they be able to derive maximum benefit from their education and move forward in life.