Predictors of student mental health and academic competence

Authors

  • Prof Maretha Visser Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2830-7050
  • Dr Eloise Law-Van Wyk Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria
  • Andries Masenge

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24085/jsaa.v14i1.5984

Keywords:

Mental health, academic competence, tertiary students, student support services, structural equation modelling

Abstract

Promoting tertiary students’ academic success and mental health is increasingly recognised as a critical issue in education. In an effort to develop strategies to promote student success and mental health, an existing dataset was re-analysed to identify predictors of student academic competence and mental health, using the Biopsychosocial Model as a theoretical framework. Cross-sectional data collected from university students (n = 3,239) via an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic were used. Structural equation modelling used various domains of wellness (physical, emotional, social, spiritual, financial, environmental, intellectual) as well as hope, coping and satisfaction with institutional support to predict mental health and academic competence (as proxy for academic success). Hope, coping and academic competence were the main direct predictors of mental health as well as several domains of wellness (intellectual, spiritual, emotional) through coping as mediator. Intellectual wellness, coping and satisfaction with institutional support were the most important predictors of academic competence. Tertiary institutions can use these findings to plan appropriate resources and services to promote and sustain students’ mental health and academic functioning.

Author Biographies

  • Prof Maretha Visser, Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria

    Prof Maretha Visser is a Counselling Psychologist in the Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria. Her field of expertise is mainly Community psychology and promoting mental health 

  • Dr Eloise Law-Van Wyk, Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria

    Dr Eloise Law-Van Wyk is  a Counselling and Neuropsychologist. She is a psychologist in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program at the University of Pretoria. She recently completed her PhD on students' academic competence 

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Published

2026-08-21

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): Sharing practices to co-construct the profession of academic advising

Section

Research Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Prof Maretha Visser, Dr Eloise Law-Van Wyk, Andries Masenge

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How to Cite

Predictors of student mental health and academic competence. (2026). Journal of Student Affairs in Africa, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.24085/jsaa.v14i1.5984