Gender Differences in Psychological Well-Being and Academic Experiences among Undergraduate Art Students: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Psychological well-being is a multifaceted concept that is integral for the overall well-being of an individual, making them capable of navigating through life challenges. The university period is a major transition for a young adult marked with many difficulties, including academic stress, psychological issues, etc. While art is known to have a therapeutic power, often art students encounter negative university experiences due to several factors. This study focused on examining gender differences in psychological well-being and academic experiences among undergraduate art students. This study employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey research design with a sample of 157 participants using an adapted questionnaire. The present study examined gender differences in depression, academic stress, creative self-efficacy, resilience, and coping strategies among undergraduate art students. The findings revealed no statistically significant gender differences across any of the variables examined, despite slight variations in mean scores. These results suggest that male and female students enrolled in art-focused disciplines experience comparable psychological and academic characteristics, indicating that shared educational and creative experiences may have a greater influence than gender alone. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on the psychological experiences of art students and highlight the importance of implementing inclusive mental health and academic support initiatives that benefit all students within art education.