Association between Mental Health and Academic Performance: A Study among the Students of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Özet

This study investigates the association between mental health and academic performance among the students of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Trishal, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and also explores the mental health challenges faced by students in balancing their academic well-being. In this context, a mixed-method approach has been used, including both quantitative and qualitative data provided by the students of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. The findings will not only examine the association between mental health and academic performance but also investigate the key challenges regarding academic performance and mental health among university students. In this study, the total sample size is 144, consisting of 137 quantitative survey respondents and 7 qualitative participants (5 case studies and 2 KIIs) of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. In the quantitative method, a semi-structured questionnaire administered using both online (using Google form) and face-to-face survey methods. On the contrary, in the qualitative method with five case studies and two key informant interviews (KII) have also been taken through structured checklist. Convenience sampling was used for quantitative survey to prioritize the voluntarily participation; the purposive sampling technique was adopted for the case studies and KII. The measurement of “Mental Health’’ operationalized through a self-developed questionnaire focusing on key indicators such as stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality. This study was guided by the Stress-coping Model by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) and Resilience Theory by Dr. Norman Garmezy (1991).  After analyzing data by using SPSS software 25 & MS Excel, the findings reveal that 74.5% of students experience mental health challenges, including stress, depression, anxiety, poor sleeping quality, trauma, sadness, hopelessness, etc., negatively affect their academic performances. As university students are the intellectual assets of a nation by contributing their progress through academic excellence, we should prioritize their mental well-being to ensure constant success & a bright future.