University students’ classification of factors affecting their well-being and psychological distress

Background: Higher education has been undermined by a multitude of difficulties that have directly affected university students’ learning and quality of life in French-speaking West African universities. Among others, massification, student pauperization, high rate of unemployment, current living environments, university managerial systems, and university poor infrastructures alongside terrorism threats on education have affected students’ lifestyles, learning, achievements, mental health but also teaching, and learner-instructor interrelationship. Purpose: The present study aimed to gauge university students’ classification of factors that have significant impacts on their current studies and well-being, and aimed to gauge whether the classified factors predict students’ psychological distress Methodology: Participants included 348 male and female university students. Descriptive and regression analyses were utilized to assess significant factors that affect students’ learning and life quality. Major findings: The findings suggested that economic challenges, perceived unemployment, and difficulties relating to the students’ areas of study were respectively the three main factors that affect students’ life quality and cause psychological distress. The latter are followed by potential sicknesses and social factors such as loneliness, and attitudes pertaining to instructors, family members, and friends. General conclusion: The study revealed significant effects of economic challenges on students’ levels of depression and stress, and a significant effect of family members’ attitudes on students’ levels of anxiety. The researchers discussed the findings and made important recommendations.