Factors Affecting Students’ Well-Being at The School of Foreign Languages, Can Tho University

Abstract

"Student well-being plays a crucial role in supporting academic achievement, emotional stability, and social integration. This study investigates the perceptions of students at the School of Foreign Languages (SFL), Can Tho University, regarding three key dimensions including mental, social, and academic well-being. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was adopted, and data were collected from 195 undergraduate students using a questionnaire adapted from standardized measurement tools such as Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Perception of Academic Stress Scale (PAS). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) confirmed a three-factor structure. Descriptive statistics showed that students reported the highest satisfaction with social well-being (M = 4.41), followed by academic well-being (M = 3.40), while mental well-being received the lowest score (M = 2.23), indicating widespread psychological challenges. Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between mental and academic well-being, while a negative correlation was found between social and academic well-being. In addition, students' well-being varied by academic major but showed no statistically significant difference by year of study. The findings from the open-ended responses indicated that mental well-being was perceived by the majority of students as the most influential component of their overall well-being and identified as the most adversely affected dimension. Therefore, support measures such as psychological counseling services, balanced academic workload, and increased access to social and artistic activities should be prioritized to promote comprehensive student well-being in higher education settings."