The Relationship Between Social Connectedness And Academic Performance Among Vietnamese University Students: The Mediating Role Of Stress

Abstract

Social connectedness plays a significant role in enhancing students' academic performance by serving as a pathway through which stress is reduced. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of stress on the relationship between social connectedness and academic performance among university students in Vietnam. A total of 492 Vietnamese students, aged 18 to 21 and representing various regions across the country, participated in the study. They completed measures including the Social Connectedness Scale, the Academic Performance Scale (APS), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) results demonstrated that social connectedness was positively correlated with academic performance. However, stress did not mediate the relationship between social connectedness and academic performance among Vietnamese students. These findings highlight the critical role of social connectedness in fostering academic success by alleviating stress.