Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42008446›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Academic workload and lifestyle predict emotional well-being among university students in the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study.

Munawar Farooq, Uffaira Hafeez, Amir Ahmad, Susan Waller, Gabriel Andrade, Arif Alper Cevik, Syed Fahad Javaid

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Munawar FarooqDepartment of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine Section, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Uffaira HafeezDepartment of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine Section, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Amir AhmadDepartment of Information Systems and Security, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Susan WallerDepartment of Medical Education, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Gabriel AndradeDepartment of Psychology, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Arif Alper CevikDepartment of Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine Section, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Syed Fahad JavaidDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6467-8150

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundStress is a prevalent issue among university students and is linked to adverse academic and emotional outcomes. While research emphasizes the roles of resilience, personality traits, and psychosocial factors, most studies are drawn from North American and European contexts.

objectivesThis is the first study of its kind in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exploring the relationship between perceived stress, resilience, and personality traits among university students, offering insights into region-specific influences on emotional well-being.

methodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 168 students from two colleges at the United Arab Emirates University (79% College of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21% College of Information Technology; 72% female). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models in R version 4.2.0. Personality traits were assessed using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, perceived stress was measured with the Perceived Stress Scale, and resilience was evaluated with the Brief Resilience Scale.

resultsThe median perceived stress score was 22 (IQR: 17-28), and 30% reported high stress. Multivariable analysis showed that heavier academic workload, financial difficulties, lack of social support, lower physical activity, and poorer academic performance significantly predicted higher perceived stress, whereas resilience and emotional stability were protective.

conclusionUniversity students' perceived stress is closely associated with modifiable factors, including academic workload, social support, resilience, and physical activity. Targeted interventions, such as resilience training, promoting physical activity, optimizing academic schedules, and strengthening support services, are vital to reducing perceived stress and enhancing student well-being.

Indexed as

Life StyleStress, PsychologicalStudentsWorkloadAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesEmotionsFemaleHumansMalePsychological Well-BeingResilience, PsychologicalSubjective StressSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited Arab Emirates

Identifiers

PMID42008446
PMCPMC13095009

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.