Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Evidence is mounting that poverty and psychological stress among university students are common and the mental health of university students is a topic of increasing attention.METHODS: In late 2015, 2,320 social work students from 29 Australian universities completed an online survey on the impact of low income on students’ daily lives and study success.FINDINGS: Overall, students revealed financial hardships and a precarious balancing act of study, limited finances, paid work and family. Some students revealed the impact of these hardships on their mental health and wellbeing. Undertaking compulsory field placement increased students’ financial stresses and exacerbated mental health vulnerabilities.CONCLUSIONS: The qualitative findings reported here draw on students’ responses within the larger student survey data set where mental health impacts were reported. These findings have implications for universities, social work education, field
Highlights
ObjectivesThe purpose of this article is to report on specific findings from a larger national study on the impact of low levels of income on study success of Australian social work students
Evidence is mounting that poverty and psychological stress among university students are common and the mental health of university students is a topic of increasing attention
Australian universities have well established student welfare services, and it often may be assumed that students from diverse backgrounds can make the required academic transitions to degree completion and aspired social mobility (Gofen, 2007; Haveman & Smeeding, 2006)
Summary
The purpose of this article is to report on specific findings from a larger national study on the impact of low levels of income on study success of Australian social work students
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