Studying the impact of anxiety, stress, and emotion on academic performance: A systematic review

https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v5i2.2437
Published: Feb 17, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: This systematically reviews and examines existing literature on how anxiety, stress, and emotional factors influence academic performance among students across various educational settings and identifies key trends.

Research methodology: Drawing on studies published between 2020 and 2024, the review synthesizes findings from diverse populations, including high school and university students. The analysis reveals a consistent negative correlation between elevated levels of anxiety and academic achievement, with significant implications for cognitive functioning, motivation, and engagement. Additionally, the review highlights the role of stress as a critical factor affecting academic outcomes, where chronic stress is linked to decreased performance and increased dropout rates. Emotional intelligence emerges as a vital moderating variable, with students exhibiting higher emotional regulation demonstrating improved coping strategies and better academic results.

Results: The findings indicate that female students often report higher anxiety levels compared to their male counterparts, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. Furthermore, the review identifies gaps in the current literature, particularly concerning underrepresented populations and the long-term effects of anxiety and stress on academic trajectories. Recommendations include implementing mental health support programs, fostering emotional intelligence development, and promoting resilience among students.

Limitations: Limited by potential publication bias, variability in assessment tools, sample heterogeneity, and reliance on self-reported data, which may affect the generalizability and accuracy of findings on academic performance.

Contribution: This review highlights the critical need for educational institutions to address psychological factors affecting academic performance, focusing on reducing anxiety, stress, and emotional challenges to foster supportive learning environments and improve overall student well-being and success.

Keywords:
1. Anxiety
2. Stress
3. Emotion
4. Academic Performance
Authors:
Shantona Rani
SouthAsia Research & Corporate Advisory Ltd, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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How to Cite
Rani, S. (2025). Studying the impact of anxiety, stress, and emotion on academic performance: A systematic review. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 5(2), 131–141. https://doi.org/10.35912/jshe.v5i2.2437
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Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): February
Articles
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References

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  2. Abbas, J., & Sa?san, M. (2019). Impact of knowledge management practices on green innovation and corporate sustainable development: A structural analysis. Journal of cleaner production, 229, 611-620.
  3. Abror, A., Patrisia, D., Syahrizal, S., Sarianti, R., & Dastgir, S. (2020). Self-efficacy, employee engagement, remuneration and employee loyalty in higher education: The role of satisfaction and Ocb. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(3), 5456-5470.
  4. Alhussain, T., Al-Rahmi, W. M., & Othman, M. S. (2020). Students’ perceptions of social networks platforms use in higher education: A qualitative research. Int. J. Adv. Trends Comput. Sci. Eng, 9.
  5. Atolagbe, A., Oparinde, O., & Umaru, H. (2019). Parents’ occupational background and student performance in public secondary schools in Osogbo Metropolis, Osun State, Nigeria. African Journal of Inter/Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(1), 13-24.
  6. Awadalla, S., Davies, E. B., & Glazebrook, C. (2020). A longitudinal cohort study to explore the relationship between depression, anxiety, and academic performance among Emirati university students. BMC psychiatry, 20, 1-10.
  7. Beiter, R., Nash, R., McCrady, M., Rhoades, D., Linscomb, M., Clarahan, M., & Sammut, S. (2015). The prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of college students. Journal of affective disorders, 173, 90-96.
  8. Bisson, K. H. (2017). The effect of anxiety and depression on college students’ academic performance: Exploring social support as a moderator.
  9. Brandy, J. M., Penckofer, S., Solari-Twadell, P. A., & Velsor-Friedrich, B. (2015). Factors predictive of depression in first-year college students. Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 53(2), 38-44.
  10. Descals-Tomás, A., Rocabert-Beut, E., Abellán-Roselló, L., Gómez-Artiga, A., & Doménech-Betoret, F. (2021). Influence of teacher and family support on university student motivation and engagement. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2606.
  11. Doyumgaç, I., Tanhan, A., & Kiymaz, M. S. (2021). Understanding the most important facilitators and barriers for online education during COVID-19 through online photovoice methodology. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(1), 166-190.
  12. Fcca, S. A. B. S., Uddin, M. T., Imon, I. H., Fahim, A. Y., Islam, M. J., Riya, T. A., & Hossain, A. (2021). A comprehensive study of mental health issues: impact on overseas university students. Psychohealth: Scientific Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 1(1), 1-11.
  13. Ghosh, S. K., Sarker, B. K., Saha, S. K., Islam, A., & Shakil, M. (2021). Comparison of depression and anxiety levels among students: An observational study in Dhaka City. Psychohealth: Scientific Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 1(1), 49-58.
  14. Habib, M., Abbas, J., & Noman, R. (2019). Are human capital, intellectual property rights, and research and development expenditures really important for total factor productivity? An empirical analysis. International Journal of Social Economics, 46(6), 756-774.
  15. Hünefeld, L., Gerstenberg, S., & Hüffmeier, J. (2020). Job satisfaction and mental health of temporary agency workers in Europe: a systematic review and research agenda. Work & stress, 34(1), 82-110.
  16. Imran, M., & Abbas, J. (2020). The role of strategic orientation in export performance of China automobile industry Handbook of research on managerial practices and disruptive innovation in Asia (pp. 249-263): IGI Global.
  17. Kafle, B. (2021). Parental involvement and its impacts on student performance: a quantitative study in vyas municipality of tanahun. Artech J Art Social Sci, 3, 39-48.
  18. Khan, H., Abbas, J., Kumari, K., & Najam, H. (2022). Corporate level politics from managers and employees perspective and its impact on employees' job stress and job performance. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences(ahead-of-print).
  19. Khan, S. M., & Abbas, J. (2022). Mindfulness and happiness and their impact on employee creative performance: Mediating role of creative process engagement. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 44, 101027.
  20. Kumari, K., Ali, S. B., & Abbas, J. (2021). Examining the Role of Motivation and Reward in Employees' Job Performance through Mediating Effect of Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Evidence. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 10(4).
  21. Lörz, M., Netz, N., & Quast, H. (2016). Why do students from underprivileged families less often intend to study abroad? Higher Education, 72, 153-174.
  22. Maajida Aafreen, M., Vishnu Priya, V., & Gayathri, R. (2018). Effect of stress on academic performance of students in different streams. Drug Invention Today, 10(9).
  23. Mellal, A., Albluwe, T., & Al-Ashkar, D. (2014). The prevalence of depressive symptoms and its socioeconomic determinants among university students in Al Ain, UAE. Education, 159(26.3).
  24. Mirawdali, S., Morrissey, H., & Ball, P. (2018). Academic anxiety and its effects on academic performance.
  25. Moyano, N., Perez-Yus, M. C., Herrera-Mercadal, P., Navarro-Gil, M., Valle, S., & Montero-Marin, J. (2023). Burned or engaged teachers? The role of mindfulness, self-efficacy, teacher and students’ relationships, and the mediating role of intrapersonal and interpersonal mindfulness. Current Psychology, 42(14), 11719-11732.
  26. Ngasa, S. N., Sama, C.-B., Dzekem, B. S., Nforchu, K. N., Tindong, M., Aroke, D., & Dimala, C. A. (2017). Prevalence and factors associated with depression among medical students in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study. BMC psychiatry, 17, 1-7.
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  28. Pancer, S. M., Pratt, M., Hunsberger, B., & Alisat, S. (2004). Bridging Troubled Waters: Helping Students Make the Transition from High School to University. Guidance & Counselling, 19(4), 184-190.
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  30. Pekrun, R., Lichtenfeld, S., Marsh, H. W., Murayama, K., & Goetz, T. (2017). Achievement emotions and academic performance: Longitudinal models of reciprocal effects. Child development, 88(5), 1653-1670.
  31. Quince, T. A., Wood, D. F., Parker, R. A., & Benson, J. (2012). Prevalence and persistence of depression among undergraduate medical students: a longitudinal study at one UK medical school. BMJ open, 2(4), e001519.
  32. Safdar, B., Habib, A., Amjad, A., & Abbas, J. (2020). Treating students as customers in higher education institutions and its impact on their academic performance. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 9(4), 176-191.
  33. Sarker, B. K. (2023). Enhanced Student Class Attendance by Using Concept of Flipped Classroom Approach. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 3(2), 105-117.
  34. Sarker, B. K., Gain, N., Saha, S. K., Mondal, N. B., & Ifte, I. (2024). A quantitative research of learning habits of secondary school students: An observational study in Dhaka Division. Journal of Social, Humanity, and Education, 4(2), 117-127.
  35. Sarker, B. K., & Uchinlayen, U. (2020). The Impact of Class Attendance on Academic Performance of BBA Professional Students: An Observational Study. International Journal of Science and Business, 4(1), 285-291.
  36. Sarokhani, D., Delpisheh, A., Veisani, Y., Sarokhani, M. T., Esmaeli Manesh, R., & Sayehmiri, K. (2013). Prevalence of depression among university students: A systematic review and meta?analysis study. Depression research and treatment, 2013(1), 373857.
  37. Schimelpfening, N. (2023). Causes and Risk Factors of Depression. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/common-causes-of-depression-1066772
  38. Weda, S., & Sakti, A. E. F. (2018). The relationship between study anxiety and academic performance among English students. XLinguage" European Scientific Language Journal", 11(2), 718-727.
  39. WHO. (2023). World health statistics 2023: monitoring health for the SDGs, sustainable development goals. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240074323
  40. Xie, Z., Liu, X., Najam, H., Fu, Q., Abbas, J., Comite, U., . . . Miculescu, A. (2022). Achieving financial sustainability through revenue diversification: A green pathway for financial institutions in Asia. Sustainability, 14(6), 3512.
  41. Youssef, J., & Deane, F. P. (2006). Factors influencing mental-health help-seeking in Arabic-speaking communities in Sydney, Australia. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 9(1), 43-66.