The transition from high school to university is a critical period marked by rapid developmental, academic and social changes that can adversely affect students’ wellbeing. This critical shift from adolescence to adulthood frequently marks the onset of unhealthy lifestyle patterns and habits that are often carried forward into later stages of being. This study explores undergraduate students’ perspectives on this transition, with a focus on wellbeing, through a cross-cultural lens spanning Hong Kong and the Czech Republic. Wellbeing is conceptualised holistically, comprising emotional, social, cognitive, physical and spiritual dimensions. A mixed-methods design is employed, integrating qualitative data from reflective letters to students’ past selves and quantitative survey data based on wellbeing dimensions (Student Wellbeing Scale), analysed using a convergent parallel approach. The research population consists of 100 undergraduate students: 50 from Jockey Club Student Village IV, College 1 at the University of Hong Kong, and 50 students from Charles University in Prague. Preliminary findings indicate substantial self-reported challenges across key areas of wellbeing and highlight perceived gaps in existing support services, with both shared and context-specific patterns emerging between the two settings. The findings aim to contribute to the body of knowledge on modern-day student wellbeing and inform evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions to enhance student mental health and academic success. The study also seeks to identify characteristics of existing support services, accessed within and beyond the two universities, that students regard as effective in supporting their wellbeing.

Authors:
Anna-Maria Kutateladze, Charles University, Czech Republic
Irena Smetáčková, Charles University, Czech Republic
Michael Manio, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

About the Presenter(s)
Anna-Maria Kutateladze, faculty member in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU & a wellbeing researcher at the Faculty of Education, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamariakutateladze/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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