P02-85 - Health State and Academic Performance in a Sample of Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of health variables and work variables on academic performance of undergraduate students. We have two main goals:

1. 1) Examining the relationship between emotional and physical disturbances and academic performance;

2. 2) Investigating the influence of a parallel professional activity on academic performance.

Methods

Data was obtained on Superior School of Health Technology of Coimbra, in 2 different times: time 1 (T1), at the beginning of the academic term (195 students) and time 2 (T2), at the end of this term (177 students). A correlational design was used.

Results

Main results suggest that:

1. 1) Students that have a parallel professional activity have a performance academic worst than those who haven’t this activity;

2. 2) From all the variables considered, only age may be considered predictor of the academic performance;

3. 3) Students that have been medically assisted had a worst performance;

4. 4) No statistically relevant differences were found on the academic performances of individuals with and without chronic diseases, and of individuals with and without emotional disturbances;

5. 5) No statistically relevant differences were found either the start and the end of the academic term, on the physical and emotional symptoms under evaluation.

Conclusions

Given the results obtained, the main conclusion can be drawn from this study is: Although the emotional and physical symptoms are not relevant, when they are medically assisted, they report worst academic performance.