Psychological Distress and Academic Achievement: A Study on CamEd’s Freshman Year Students

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the influence of Psychological Distress on grades of freshman years student on CamEd Business school to further increase data on metal well-being in CamEd students. Psychological distress of 208 respondents was measured by the SRQ-20.112 SRQ-20 scores where compared with there course psychology grades. Differences on Psychological Distress between Gender and amount of enrolled schools where also analysed. High levels of Psychological distress where found in this study (above 60% at risk for mental health disorders), which is in line with earlier findings. There was no significant difference in PD between gender although a difference was found in gender and having a high risk for mental health disorders. No significant differences where found for number of enrolled schools and there was no correlation between PD and grades. Limitations and possible explanations are discussed. The findings of this study show the need to further research to the relationship between PD and academic achievements for this specific population.

Keywords: Psychological Distress; Students; Academic Achievement; Cambodia