The use of grades as an extrinsic motivator in formal schooling has been demonstrated in previous research to have negative implications for students’ learning and mental health. This subject matter has been particularly absent from the research literature in Vietnam, where the obsession with grades is self-evident. The present study aims to explore Vietnamese university students’ orientations toward learning and grades, learning strategy use, mental well-being, and how these variables correlate. In addition, the study examines the potential interplay between learning orientation and grade orientation to influence the latter two variables. A quantitative research design was employed to achieve these goals. Survey responses were collected from 38 second- and third-year students majoring in English Language at a large, public university during a summer semester. Specifically for learning strategy use, participants were directed to pull from their experiences in a Public Speaking course that they had completed in the previous semester. Results revealed that a learning orientation was moderately related to both adaptive learning strategy use and mental wellness, whereas a grade orientation was only negatively related to learning strategy use and unrelated to mental well-being. Moreover, a strong learning orientation alone resulted in the most positive outcomes for both learning and mental health, and higher levels of grade orientation weakened those outcomes. Limitations of the study, directions for future research in this area, and implications for students and educators are then discussed.  

Growing research evidence on young people’s mental health and wellbeing during Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of examining the social relationships and circumstances that surround adolescent life. This study analysed secondary data obtained from the first wave of the COVID-19 Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) Study, which examined the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Through a series of multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses, psychological distress, elevated symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety, and self-esteem and life satisfaction were examined in relation to physical health, social support, interpersonal violence (i.e., face to face bullying, cyberbullying, discrimination), and demographic background in 16-year-olds during the pandemic. The findings showed that young people were more likely to report higher psychological distress and elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety if they were female, had poor physical health and limited family and community support, and experienced bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination. The same measures were also found to predict low self-esteem and life satisfaction. The findings have significant implications regarding the nature of mental health and wellbeing in young people and the importance of accounting for interpersonal violence and social support when examining mental health in 16-year-olds, especially during health crises. A multisectoral approach involving health and education sectors, in collaboration with family and community support services, is advocated to reduce interpersonal violence and support young people’s mental health.