Academic Stress and Mental Health : A Comparative Study of Science, Arts, and Commerce Students

Abstract

This is a study on the relationship between academic pressure, mental health, and socio-economic status in senior secondary school students in India focusing on students having Science, Arts and Commerce field of study. Increasing academic pressure to excel and the pressure and limited resources in society have increased pressure on students deteriorating their mental health. This research paper addresses the role that different factors play in mental well-being with particular reference to the socio-economic standings and geographical location (urban versus rural). The study aims at investigating impacts of academic pressure on anxiety, depression, and burnout, but also creates an assessment of how socio-economic background, such as access to family income level and resources, contributes to these findings. The research shows that academic stress level has been found to be high in every sphere, yet there is no strong correlation between the research notes on mental health outcomes. Moreover, the socio-economic status did not play critical roles in the measurement of the levels of academic stress. The gendering as well as geographical variations were found to be significant with the students in urban areas being under more stress; still neither variable was found to affect mental health a lot. The study would give valuable insights to educators and policymakers in developing ways of reducing academic distress and improving mental health, particularly disadvantaged learners.