Students’ Psychological Well-Being in the Post-Pandemic Era: A Comparative Study of Demographic and Socio-Economic Factors among College Students

This study explores the psychological well-being of students in the post-pandemic era, focusing on the influence of demographic and socio-economic factors among students at West Visayas State University-Himamaylan City Campus (WVSU-HCC). Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 300 students across various year levels and degree programs. The study aimed to assess the overall psychological well-being of students and to investigate how factors such as sex, socio-economic status, type of residence, course, and year level impact their mental health during the post-pandemic period. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including mean rank, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test, were employed to analyze the data. The results revealed that the majority of students reported a moderate level of psychological well-being, with significant differences observed based on year level. Specifically, third-year students exhibited the highest levels of well-being, while first-year students reported the lowest. Socio-economic status, sex, and type of residence did not show significant differences in psychological well-being across groups. Additionally, factors such as family status and economic stability were identified as critical influences on students’ mental health. The findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to support students’ psychological well-being, particularly for first-year students and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The study highlights the need for comprehensive mental health programs, resilience-building initiatives, and financial aid to address the challenges faced by students in the post-pandemic era.