Predicting Higher Education Students’ Psychosomatic Symptoms with Negative Emotional State, Psychological Resilience and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Psychosomatic symptoms are an important aspect of student mental health because they reflect the interaction between psychological processes, emotional states, and physical complaints. This study examined whether negative emotional states, psychological resilience, life satisfaction, and demographic characteristics predicted psychosomatic symptoms among higher-education students in Greece. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 202 participants recruited from seven higher-education institutions in Athens. Participants completed self-report measures of psychosomatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, psychological resilience, and life satisfaction. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. The predictive model significantly explained variation in psychosomatic symptom scores, F(8, 193) = 46.289, p < .001, R² = .657, adjusted R² = .643. Stress (β = .275, p < .001) and anxiety (β = .388, p < .001) were positively associated with psychosomatic symptoms, whereas psychological resilience (β = −.171, p < .001) and life satisfaction (β = −.182, p < .001) were negatively associated. Sex differences were observed: female students reported higher psychosomatic symptoms and negative emotional states, whereas male students reported higher resilience. No significant differences in psychosomatic symptoms were identified by study level, institution type, or age. Overall, the findings are consistent with previous literature and suggest that psychosomatic symptoms among higher-education students are associated with both psychological risk factors and protective resources. Screening for emotional distress and strengthening resilience and life satisfaction may contribute to student mental-health support strategies. However, the findings should be interpreted in light of the cross-sectional design and convenience sample.