Predictive effects of external ecological factors on the psychological well-being of university students in Hong Kong under COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Research studies showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health and well-being of young people. According to the ecological system theories and the positive youth development approach, positive external ecological factors, such as healthy family functioning and support from peers and community, could promote adolescents’ psychological well-being and protect them against mental health problems. However, there is limited research on the role of ecological factors in university students’ mental health under the pandemic. Against this background, the present study examined the predictive effects of external ecological factors on Hong Kong university students’ psychological well-being under the pandemic. Methods: Based on quota sampling, 978 students at a public university completed an online questionnaire between July and August 2022. In this paper, we focused on three categories of variables: students’ mental health indexed by depression, anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal behavior, internet addiction and hopelessness; psychological well-being measured by life satisfaction and flourishing; external ecological factors assessed by positive family functioning, peer support and positive community atmosphere. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine the predictive effects of external ecological factors on students’ mental health and psychological well-being. We expected that while external ecological factors would negatively predict negative mental health, they would positively predict measures of psychological well-being. Findings: Results showed that while positive family functioning and peer support had negative predictive effects on students’ negative mental health, they had positive predictive effects on students’ psychological well-being. While positive community atmosphere did not predict negative student mental health, it positively predicted student psychological well-being indexed by life satisfaction and flourishing. Discussion: These findings support theoretical propositions and research findings on the protective role of family functioning, and peer and community support in university students’ mental health and well-being. The present study also underscores the importance of external ecological factors in shaping mental health and well-being in young people under the pandemic. Practically, this study suggests the need to develop protective external support systems as a strategy for promoting psychological well-being of young people under the pandemic.