Mapping the Predictive Factors and Longitudinal Outcomes of Emotional Well-being in Higher Education Students: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Emotional well-being among higher education students has increasingly become a central focus in the global literature, particularly in light of escalating psychosocial challenges, academic stress, and adaptation pressures in the post-pandemic era. This study aims to systematically map the principal predictive factors and longitudinal outcomes of emotional well-being among higher education students through a systematic literature review (SLR) based on the PRISMA protocol. A total of 75 selected articles from the Scopus database, published between 2021 and 2025, were analyzed using thematic approaches, concept matrix mapping, and network analysis. The findings indicate that emotional intelligence, resilience, and social support are the most consistently identified determinants of emotional well-being across countries and disciplines. The longitudinal relationships between these factors and emotional well-being are dynamic, forming complex causal, mediating, and moderating patterns throughout the course of study. Longitudinal outcomes of emotional well-being include improved academic performance, enhanced mental resilience, higher quality of social relationships, and better preparedness for transition into the workforce. However, research gaps remain in the predominance of cross-sectional designs, limited longitudinal studies, insufficient exploration of mediating and moderating mechanisms, and underrepresentation of samples from developing countries and vulnerable groups. Recommendations are directed towards advancing longitudinal and mixed-methods research, expanding sample representativeness, and conducting ongoing evaluations of evidence-based interventions to support policies aimed at enhancing the emotional well-being of students globally.