Student Well-Being and Academic Success in Developing Countries: A Framework for Strengthening Mental-Health Support in Caribbean Higher Education

Authors

  • Prof. Dr. Stanley Anthony Vivion Paul (Sr.) Professor, University of Excellence, Management and Business (U.E.M.B.), Georgetown, GUYANA.
  • Dr. Justin Joseph Professor, University of Excellence, Management and Business (U.E.M.B.), Georgetown, GUYANA.
  • Prof. Stanley Anthony Vivion Paul (Jr.) Professor, University of Excellence, Management and Business (U.E.M.B.), Georgetown, GUYANA.
  • Prof. Coretta McDonald Professor, University of Excellence, Management and Business (U.E.M.B.), Georgetown, GUYANA.
  • Prof. Orande Kenneatior Solomon Professor, University of Excellence, Management and Business (U.E.M.B.), Georgetown, GUYANA.
  • Prof. Shenelle Rambhajan Professor, University of Excellence, Management and Business (U.E.M.B.), Georgetown, GUYANA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55544/sjmars.4.4.19

Keywords:

Student well-being, academic success, mental-health support, developing countries, Caribbean higher education, counselling services, academic pressure, digital fatigue, holistic development, peer-support networks

Abstract

Student mental health has become a central concern for higher-education systems globally, with developing countries facing unique challenges related to limited counselling services, inadequate support structures, academic pressure, economic stressors, and rapid social change. Caribbean nations, including Guyana, must strengthen institutional frameworks to support student well-being as a foundation for academic success and national development. This article examines the relationship between mental health and academic performance in developing countries, analyses structural barriers to support, and proposes a holistic framework for mental-health integration within higher-education institutions. The findings emphasize the need for accessible counselling services, digital mental-health tools, faculty awareness training, stigma reduction, and institutional governance reforms.

References

[1] American Psychological Association. (2020). Mental health trends in youth. APA.

[2] Bruffaerts, R., Mortier, P., Auerbach, R., et al. (2018). Mental health problems and academic outcomes in college students. Psychological Medicine, 48(8), 1317-1327.

[3] Caribbean Public Health Agency. (2022). Mental health in Caribbean youth. CARPHA.

[4] Evans, N., Forney, D., Guido, F., Patton, L., & Renn, K. (2010). Student development in college. Jossey-Bass.

[5] Peper, E., Wilson, V., & Harvey, R. (2021). Digital fatigue in virtual learning environments. NeuroRegulation, 8(1), 3-12.

[6] Regehr, C., Glancy, D., & Pitts, A. (2019). Interventions to reduce stress in university students. Journal of Affective Disorders, 246, 291-298.

[7] Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (2017). Self-determination theory. Guilford Press.

[8] Sweller, J. (2016). Cognitive load theory. Psychological Review, 123(3), 284-302.

[9] UNDP. (2021). Youth, vulnerability, and socioeconomic stress. UNDP.

[10] UNESCO. (2022). Mental health and higher education. UNESCO.

[11] World Bank. (2023). Education systems in developing countries. World Bank.

[12] Young, C. (2020). Stigma and mental-health access among developing-country youth. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 66(4), 335-344.

[13] Samuels, D. (2021). Higher-education support systems in the Caribbean. Journal of Caribbean Studies, 39(2), 57-74.

[14] Thompson, V. (2022). Emotional resilience and learning outcomes. Higher Education Review, 31(3), 77-99.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-31

How to Cite

Paul (Sr.), S. A. V., Joseph, J., Paul (Jr.), S. A. V., McDonald, C., Solomon, O. K., & Rambhajan, S. (2025). Student Well-Being and Academic Success in Developing Countries: A Framework for Strengthening Mental-Health Support in Caribbean Higher Education. Stallion Journal for Multidisciplinary Associated Research Studies, 4(4), 220–222. https://doi.org/10.55544/sjmars.4.4.19

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)