Academic pressure and its effects on the mental health of secondary school students in the Noakhali coastal region of Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2026.7207Keywords:
Academic pressure; mental health; secondary school students; coastal region; BangladeshAbstract
This research investigated the sources of academic pressure and their impact on the mental health of secondary students in the Noakhali coastal region. A quantitative research design was used, and data were collected from 180 students across six secondary schools using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Data were analysed by using the statistics package (SPSS), including reliability analysis, descriptive statistics, t-test, and Pearson's correlation analysis. The findings uncovered a high rate of academic pressure, with mean scores (> 4) for major sources such as teacher expectations, family expectations, and competitive school environments, etc. Socio-economic influences such as family obligations and financial burdens, as well as environmental factors, were found to significantly increase academic stress (p < .001). The results further proved that academic pressure had a huge negative impact on students' mental health. The study presents context-specific empirical findings about the mental health of adolescents in coastal areas and highlights the need for integrated school, family, and policy-level interventions to minimise academic pressure and support the mental health of adolescents.
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