| Title: |
Academic Stress, Well-Being and Students' Friendship Quality Amid Crisis: Lessons from COVID-19 Pandemic |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Charlotte Adjanor-Doku (ORCID 0009-0001-3753-4888); Philip Opoku Mensah (ORCID 0000-0001-9126-3735); Florence Yaa Akyiah Ellis |
| Source: |
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. 2025 17(5):1680-1694. |
| Availability: |
Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
15 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Stress Variables; Well Being; Mental Health; Friendship; College Students; Correlation; Foreign Countries; Student Responsibility; COVID-19; Pandemics |
| Geographic Terms: |
Ghana |
| DOI: |
10.1108/JARHE-11-2023-0512 |
| ISSN: |
2050-7003; 1758-1184 |
| Abstract: |
Purpose: Through the lens of the Social Exchange Theory, this study investigates the role of emotional and psychological well-being in explaining the relationship between academic stress and friendship quality. Design/methodology/approach: Using a cross-sectional quantitative research design, the study gathered data from 298 tertiary students. Statistical analysis was conducted using Hayes Process Macro in SPSS. Findings: Results from the study challenge conventional assumptions, indicating a positive and significant relationship between academic stress and friendship quality. In addition, the study revealed that psychological well-being partially mediates the relationship between academic stress and friendship quality, while emotional well-being fully mediates the relationship between academic stress and friendship quality. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to the tertiary institutions in Ghana. Future studies may consider expanding the scope to other levels of education to gain a more comprehensive perspective of the variables of the study. Originality/value: This study presents a novel approach by examining the proposed model within the Ghanaian setting. It offers valuable perspectives on the interplay between academic stress, well-being, and friendship quality. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1497240 |
| Database: |
ERIC |