Social and study related stressors and resources among university entrants: Effects on well-being and academic performance

Stress is a prevalent phenomenon among university students. We extend research on academic consequences and outcomes of stress by exploring study-leisure conflict (interference between the study and social domains) in our study of student well-being and performance. Using the Job Demands-Resources model, this paper analyzes the psychosocial environment of 225 university entrants in terms of study-related stressors, leisure-to-study conflict, and social support from fellow students. We tested the impact of these three factors on student well-being (as indicated by academic satisfaction and study-to-leisure conflict) and academic performance. The regression results show that study-related stressors increase study-to-leisure conflict and decrease academic performance, leisure-to-study conflict decreases both academic satisfaction and performance, and team social support increases academic satisfaction.