Emotions and Mind: The Interplay Between Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health in College Students

The present study examined the relationship between mental health and emotional well-being among college students, focusing on how psychological functioning influences overall emotional quality of life. Mental health is increasingly recognized as a multidimensional construct involving emotional stability, absence of psychological distress, and effective social functioning, while emotional well-being reflects positive affect, life satisfaction, and emotional regulation. A sample of 500 college students aged 18–25 years was selected using stratified random sampling. Standardized self-report measures were used to assess mental health and emotional well-being. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, regression analysis, factor analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results revealed a strong positive relationship between mental health and emotional well-being (r = .68, p < .001). Regression analysis indicated that mental health significantly predicted emotional well-being, explaining 46% of the variance. Factor analysis supported a two-factor structure corresponding to mental health and emotional well-being constructs. SEM results demonstrated a good model fit and confirmed a significant direct effect of mental health on emotional well-being. The findings highlight the importance of promoting mental health to enhance emotional well-being among college students. Implications for psychological interventions and educational policies are discussed.