中華心理衛生協會

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between academic achievement and mental health. However, the causal sequence between these two variables is not yet clear in the case of Taiwan since data from panel surveys and adequate statistical analysis are rarely adopted. Purpose: This study investigated the causal sequence between academic achievement and mental health. Methods: This study employed two datasets from the Taiwan Educational Panel Survey (TEPS) and conducted longitudinal causal-effect regressive analysis with a statistical control on related disturbance variables. Results: Academic achievement might have significant negative effects on mental health, which were close to linear, whereas mental health had no significant effects on academic achievement. In order to understand why academic achievement had significant negative effects on mental health, we investigated the causal sequence between academic achievement and educational aspiration and the causal sequence between educational aspiration and mental health. The results showed that academic achievement positively influenced educational aspiration while educational aspiration negatively affected mental health. Conclusions: Among Taiwanese adolescents, higher academic achievement may enhance educational aspiration, but lead to a decline in mental health.