Stress Management and Student Well-Being

Dear Colleagues,

The international education landscape, spanning from early childhood to post-secondary institutions, has witnessed a surge in the prevalence of stress and mental health challenges among students. Historically, academic pressures, psychosocial dynamics, and transitional phases have been recognized as inherent stressors in the educational journey. However, with the advent of technology, changing societal expectations, and global challenges, students today face a multifaceted array of stressors that can significantly impact their mental health and overall wellbeing. The importance of this research area lies in its potential to shape educational policies, pedagogical approaches, and institutional support systems. By understanding the nuances of student stress and mental health, educators and policymakers can foster environments that prioritize not only academic excellence but also the holistic wellbeing of students.

The primary aim of this Special Issue is to better understand the complexities of student stress management and mental health across various educational stages, from early childhood to post-secondary settings. We seek to identify the myriad stressors students encounter, the coping mechanisms they (attempt to) employ, and the pivotal role that educators and institutions play in facilitating effective stress management strategies.

Original research articles and review are welcome. These may include (but are not limited to):

• The evolving nature of stressors in the educational realm;
• The interplay between individual coping strategies and institutional support;
• The role of educators in recognizing, addressing, and mitigating student stress;
• Best practices and interventions that promote mental health and resilience among students.

Themes include:

• Types of student stress: understanding the nature of stress experienced by students, including everyday micro-stressors to life events;
• Digital age and student wellbeing: the impact of technology, social media, and online learning on student mental health;
• Transition-induced stress: challenges faced during transitions, such as from primary to secondary education or from high school to college;
• Role of educators: pedagogical strategies, training, and awareness initiatives for teachers to support student wellbeing;
• Cultural and societal influences: the role of societal expectations, peer pressures, and cultural norms in shaping student stress;
• Innovative coping strategies: exploring both traditional and novel approaches students adopt to manage stress.

Dr. Valerie Ann Sotardi
Dr. Jinjing Fang
Dr. Xin Ren
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Education Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• stress
• coping strategies
• mental health
• wellbeing
• students