The Relationship between Academic Stress and Mental Health Issues among Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Academic stress is a prevalent issue among adolescents due to rising academic pressures, competition and societal pressures. Academic stress can have a detrimental effect on the psychological health of adolescents, resulting in psychological distress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Objective: Adolescents are a key focus of this research, as this study seeks to explore the association between academic stress, mental health problems and the impact of stress on psychological well-being. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used with adolescents 13-19 years old. An anonymous questionnaire measuring academic stress, anxiety, depression and coping strategies was administered. Data were analysed to determine relationships between the stress and mental health. Findings: Academic stress is positively related to mental health issues. Young people with higher academic stress reported higher levels of anxiety symptoms (60%) and depression (45%) than those with lower reported levels of academic stress. Further, maladaptive coping was associated with more severe mental health problems.. Conclusion: The take home message is that stress around academics has a large impact on adolescents' mental health, highlighting the importance of developing stress coping strategies and creating a healthy learning environment. Parents and educators need to support a healthy work-academic balance and promote mental health support to enhance adolescents' well-being.