Exploring Student Well-Being in Digital Learning Environments: A Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46328/ijte.5302Keywords:
Learner well-being, Digital learning environment, Systematic scoping review, Educational psychologyAbstract
This systematic scoping review investigates the multifaceted factors influencing learner well-being in digital learning environments. Drawing upon the analysis of 50 peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2010 and 2024, the study identifies and synthesizes key determinants that contribute to or hinder student well-being in digitally mediated education. Thematic analysis revealed seven core themes: psychological well-being, academic performance and engagement, social climate and emotional belonging, digital and technical competence, environmental and institutional strategy, general health, and students’ mindset, motivation, and self-regulation. The findings underscore the central role of institutional efficiency, educator support, technological access, and socio-emotional engagement in shaping learner experiences. This review highlights the need for holistic educational strategies and inclusive digital pedagogy to enhance well-being, foster academic success, and reduce disparities in online learning contexts. The study contributes to the growing body of literature by offering a comprehensive framework that informs future research, policy, and instructional practices in digital education.
References
Abbott, R. A., Croudace, T. J., Ploubidis, G. B., Kuh, D., Richards, M., & Huppert, F. A. (2008). The relationship between early personality and midlife psychological well-being: Evidence from a UK birth cohort study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 43, 679–687. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0355-8
Acuña, J. M. M., Hernández-Perlines, F., & Cisneros, M. A. I. (2024). Digital transformation and student satisfaction at the Autonomous University of Chile. Journal of Management and Business Education, 7(2), 220–243. https://doi.org/10.35564/jmbe.2024.0013
Agrawal, S., & Krishna, S. M. (2021). Communication apprehension and psychological well-being of students in online learning. Behavioral Sciences, 11(11), 145. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11110145
Alexandrova, A. (2017). A philosophy for the science of well-being. Oxford University Press.
Andrews, F. M., & Withey, S. B. (1976). Social indicators of well-being. Plenum Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2253-5
Apostol, A.-C., Irimescu, G., & Radoi, M. (2023). Social work education during the COVID-19 pandemic—Challenges and future developments to enhance students’ wellbeing. Sustainability, 15(11), 9009. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15119009
Argyle, M. (1999). Causes and correlates of happiness. In D. Kahneman, E. Diener, & N. Schwarz (Eds.), Well-being: The foundations of hedonic psychology (pp. 353–373). Russell Sage Foundation.
Arksey, H., & O’Malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8(1), 19–32.
Babakhova, L. G., Khachaturyan, N. N., & Lomova, N. V. (2023). Psychological well-being of students in digital educational environment. E3S Web of Conferences, 389, 08014. EDP Sciences.
Baik, C., Larcombe, W., & Brooker, A. (2019). How universities can enhance student mental well-being: The student perspective. Higher Education Research & Development, 38(4), 674–687. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2019.1576596
Balica, M. (2021). Supporting student well-being in a digital learning environment: Evidence-based opportunities for innovation in learning and teaching during school closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. International Baccalaureate Organization.
Barrable, A., Papadatou-Pastou, M., & Tzotzoli, P. (2018). Supporting mental health, well-being and study skills in higher education: An online intervention system. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0233-z
Bautista, T. G., Roman, G., Khan, M., Lee, M., Sahbaz, S., Duthely, L. M., Knippenberg, A., Macias-Burgos, M. A., Davidson, A., Scaramutti, C., Gabrilove, J., Pusek, S., Mehta, D., & Bredella, M. A. (2023). What is well-being? A scoping review of the conceptual and operational definitions of occupational well-being. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 7(1), e227. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2023.648
Biggins, D., & Holley, D. (2023). Designing for student well-being: Challenging assumptions about where our students learn. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi27.938
Blackman, T. (2020). What affects student well-being? Higher Education Policy Institute.
Blignaut, S., Pheiffer, G., Visser, A., Le Grange, L., Maistry, S., Ramrathan, L., & Simmonds, S. (2022). Belonging, wellbeing and stress with online learning during COVID-19. South African Journal of Higher Education, 36(6), 169–191. https://doi.org/10.20853/36-6-5525
Bliss, L., Brooks, S. L., & Huq, C. (2020). Creating online education spaces to support equity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being. John Marshall Law Journal, 14, 1–20.
Brachtl, S., Ipser, C., Keser Aschenberger, F., et al. (2023). Physical home-learning environments of traditional and non-traditional students during the COVID pandemic: Exploring the impact of learning space on students’ motivation, stress, and well-being. Smart Learning Environments, 10, 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-023-00222-4
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Buczak, A., & Łukasik, I. M. (2021). Student’s well-being in the e-school environment: Selected research results. International Journal of Research in E-Learning, 7(1), 1–12.
Burcin, M. M., Armstrong, S. N., Early, J. O., & Godwin, H. (2019). Optimizing college health promotion in the digital age: Comparing perceived well-being, health behaviors, health education needs and preferences between college students enrolled in fully online versus campus-based programs. Health Promotion Perspectives, 9(4), 270.
Burns, R. A. (2017). Psychosocial well-being. In N. A. Pachana (Ed.), Encyclopedia of geropsychology (pp. 251–254). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-287-082-7_251
Butnaru, G. I., Haller, A.-P., Dragolea, L.-L., Anichiti, A., & Tacu Hârșan, G.-D. (2021). Students’ wellbeing during transition from onsite to online education: Are there risks arising from social isolation? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18), 9665. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189665
Byers, T., Mahat, M., Liu, K., Knock, A., & Imms, W. (2018). A systematic review of the effects of learning environments on student learning outcomes - Technical report 4/2018. University of Melbourne, LEaRN.
Chen, C., Fan, J., & Jury, M. (2017). Are perceived learning environments related to subjective well-being? A visit to university students. Learning and Individual Differences, 54, 226–233.
Closs, L., Mahat, M., & Imms, W. (2022). Learning environments' influence on students' learning experience in an Australian Faculty of Business and Economics. Learning Environments Research, 25(1), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-021-09361-2
Cranton, P. (2006). Fostering authentic relationships in the transformative classroom. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2006(109), 5–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.203
Deng, X., & Yang, Z. (2021). Digital proficiency and psychological well-being in online learning: Experiences of first-generation college students and their peers. Social Sciences, 10(6), 192. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10060192
Dinu, L. M., Byrom, N. C., Mehta, K. J., Everett, S., Foster, J. L., & Dommett, E. J. (2022). Predicting student mental well-being and loneliness and the importance of digital skills. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46(8), 1040–1053. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2022.2038780
Dix, K., Ahmed, S. K., Carslake, T., Sniedze, S., O'Grady, E., & Trevitt, J. (2020). Student health and well-being: A systematic review of intervention research examining effective student well-being in schools and their academic outcomes. Main report and executive summary. Australian Council for Educational Research.
Dodge, R., Daly, A. P., Huyton, J., & Sanders, L. D. (2012). The challenge of defining well-being. International Journal of Well-being, 2(3), 222–235. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v2i3.4
Douglas, F., Beasy, K., Sollis, K., & Flies, E. J. (2024). Online, Experiential Sustainability Education Can Improve Students’ Self-Reported Environmental Attitudes, Behaviours and Wellbeing. Sustainability, 16(6), 2258. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062258
Driscoll, A., Jicha, K., Hunt, A. N., Tichavsky, L., & Thompson, G. (2012). Can online courses deliver in-class results? A comparison of student performance and satisfaction in an online versus a face-to-face introductory sociology course. Teaching Sociology, 40(4), 312–331. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092055X12446624
Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405–432. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x
Fraser, B. J. (1998). The birth of a new journal: Editor's introduction. Learning Environments Research, 1, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009994030661
Frolova, E. V., Rogach, O. V., Tyurikov, A. G., & Razov, P. V. (2021). Online student education in a pandemic: New challenges and risks. European Journal of Contemporary Education, 10(1), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.13187/ejced.2021.1.43
Gauci, C., Kerr-Cumbo, R., & Zarb, A. (2022). Did the COVID-19-related shift to online schooling influence students’ mental well-being? A quantitative study on level 4 students at MCAST. MCAST Journal of Applied Research & Practice, 6(2), 4-28.
Gorman, D. (2010). Maslow's hierarchy and social and emotional well-being. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, 33(5), 27–29.
Groarke, J. M., Berry, E., Graham-Wisener, L., McKenna-Plumley, P. E., McGlinchey, E., & Armour, C. (2020). Loneliness in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional results from the COVID-19 Psychological Well-being Study. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0239698. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239698
Gutiérrez, J. L. G., Jiménez, B. M., Hernández, E. G., & Puente, C. P. (2005). Personality and subjective well-being: Big five correlates and demographic variables. Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 1561–1569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.09.015
Hill, J. R., & Hannafin, M. J. (2001). Teaching and learning in digital environments: The resurgence of resource-based learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, 49(3), 37–52. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02504914
Hoi, V. N. (2022). Online learning environments and student engagement: Meeting the psychological needs of learners during the COVID-19 pandemic. In V. Dennen, C. Dickson-Deane, X. Ge, D. Ifenthaler, S. Murthy, & J. C. Richardson (Eds.), Global perspectives on educational innovations for emergency situations. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99634-5_25
Hone, L., Schofield, G., & Jarden, A. (2015). Conceptualizations of well-being: Insights from a prototype analysis on New Zealand workers. New Zealand Journal of Human Resource Management, 15(2), 97–118.
Hosszu, A., Rughiniș, C., Rughiniș, R., & Rosner, D. (2022). Webcams and social interaction during online classes: Identity work, presentation of self, and well-being. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 761427. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.761427
Huey, M. (2024). The impact of synchronous Zoom learning on course comprehension and psychological well-being in the college classroom. Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 4(1), 1–10.
Huppert, F. A. (2009). Psychological well-being: Evidence regarding its causes and consequences. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1(2), 137–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01008.x
Jarden, A., & Roache, A. (2023). What is well-being? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(6), 5006. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065006
Jiang, L., Zhou, N., & Yang, Y. (2024). Student motivation and engagement in online language learning using virtual classrooms: Interrelationships with support, attitude and learner readiness. Education and Information Technologies, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-024-12514-4
Kiikeri, P., Uusiautti, S., & Purtilo-Nieminen, S. (2024). Students' thriving and well-being in online learning environments in vocational education and training. International Journal for Research in Vocational Education and Training, 11(1), 119–145. https://doi.org/10.13152/IJRVET.11.1.6
Lanza, S. T., Whetzel, C. A., Linden-Carmichael, A. N., & Newschaffer, C. J. (2022). Change in college student health and well-being profiles as a function of the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0267724. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267724
Li, J., & Wang, R. (2024). Determining the role of innovative teaching practices, sustainable learning, and the adoption of e-learning tools in leveraging academic motivation for students’ mental well-being. BMC Psychology, 12, 163. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01639-3
Lin, J., & Wang, Y. (2024). Unpacking the mediating role of classroom interaction between student satisfaction and perceived online learning among Chinese EFL tertiary learners in the new normal of post-COVID-19. Acta Psychologica, 245, 104233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104233
Liu, C., McCabe, M., Dawson, A., Cyrzon, C., Shankar, S., Gerges, N., Kellett-Renzella, S., Chye, Y., & Cornish, K. (2021). Identifying predictors of university students’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic—A data-driven approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), 6730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18136730
Liu, S., Cao, Y., & Zhang, H. (2023). Online Education and Subjective Well-Being in China: Multiple Mediating Roles of Social Class Mobility and Social Tolerance. Sustainability, 15(3), 2177.
Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., & Altman, D. G. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. BMJ, 339, b2535. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535
Morgan, B., Simmons, L., & Ayles, N. (2023, April). Flourish-HE: An online positive education programme to promote university student wellbeing. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1124983. Frontiers Media SA.
Panesi, S., Bocconi, S., & Ferlino, L. (2020). Promoting students’ well-being and inclusion in schools through digital technologies: Perceptions of students, teachers, and school leaders in Italy expressed through SELFIE piloting activities. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 539306. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01563
Papadatou-Pastou, M., Campbell-Thompson, L., Barley, E., Haddad, M., Lafarge, C., McKeown, E., ... & Tzotzoli, P. (2019). Exploring the feasibility and acceptability of the contents, design, and functionalities of an online intervention promoting mental health, well-being, and study skills in Higher Education students. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 13, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-019-0308-5
Peters, M. D. J., Godfrey, C. M., McInerney, P., Munn, Z., Tricco, A. C., & Khalil, H. (2020). Chapter 11: Scoping reviews (2020 version). In JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis.
Pratiwi, W. A., Zurika, E. T., & Shofiyah, N. (2022). Enhancing student learning motivation through private tutoring: An analysis of teaching skills. Journal of Islamic Education Management Research, 1(2), 159–168.
Qureshi, F. H., Khawaja, S., Zia, T., & Javed, R. (2022). Online education and students’ well-being during COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Private Higher Education, 1(1), 81–103.
Quilon, A., & Kurniawan, Y. (2023). Online learning environment and mental health among university students. Bedan Research Journal, 8(1), 259–284.
Rakow, K. E., Upsher, R. J., Foster, J. L., Byrom, N. C., & Dommett, E. J. (2023). “It ain’t what you use, it’s the way that you use it”: How virtual learning environments may impact student mental well-being. Education Sciences, 13(7), 749. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13070749
Ramadan, D. H. A. E. (2021). Predictors of well-being among students: A meta-analysis. Journal of Research in Curriculum Instruction and Educational Technology, 7(2), 123–154.
Rodríguez-Ugalde, E., & Díaz-Rojas, A. (2024). Classroom well-being through virtual learning environments in higher education from 2021 to 2023. Medical Research Archives, 12(3).
Saastamoinen, U., Eronen, L., Juvonen, A., & Vahimaa, P. (2023). Well-being at the 21st century innovative learning environment called learning ground. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 16(2), 239–252.
Sazdovska-Pigulovska, M. (2021). Impact of online education on student emotional well-being. Educational Role of Language Journal.
Schaufeli, W. B. (2013). What is engagement? In C. Truss, K. Alfes, R. Delbridge, A. Shantz, & E. Soane (Eds.), Employee engagement in theory and practice (pp. 15–35). Routledge.
Schettino, G., Marino, L., & Capone, V. (2022). Technology-enhanced learning and well-being: A contribution to the validation of a measure to assess university students’ technostress in the Italian context. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-022-00940-9
Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Simon & Schuster.
Seydooğulları, S. Ü. (2023). University students’ wellbeing and mental health during COVID-19: An online photovoice approach. Journal of Happiness and Health, 3(2), 139–156.
Stančić, M., & Senić Ružić, M. (2022). University students’ well-being during emergency remote teaching: Reflections from the viewpoint of the self-determination theory. In Proceedings TIE 2022: 9th International scientific conference Technics and Informatics in Education (pp. 449-456). University of Kragujevac-Faculty of Technical Sciences in Čačak.
Sun, Y., & Liu, L. (2023). Structural equation modeling of university students’ academic resilience, academic well-being, personality and educational attainment in online classes with Tencent Meeting application in China: Investigating the role of student engagement. BMC Psychology, 11(1), 347. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-023-01366-1
Susanto, H., Setiana, D., Besar, N., Najib Ali, M., Susanto, A. K. S., Seruddin, R., & Ibrahim, F. (2024). Leveraging technology enhancement: The well-being emotional intelligence, security keys to the university students’ readiness in digital learning ecosystem. Sustainability, 16(9), 3765. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093765
Syed, N. B. (2021). Impact of levels of education on perceived academic stress and mental well-being: An investigation into online mode of learning during pandemic. Journal of Psychological Research, 3(2), 12-18.
Tasneem, S., & Bano, B. (2023). Perception of medical students toward the impact of online education on their academic performance and emotional wellbeing. Health Professions Educator Journal, 6(2).
Timokhin, A. M., Bura, L. V., & Selivanov, V. V. (2021). Subjective well-being and self-regulation of educational activities of students in a digital educational environment. In SHS Web of Conferences (Vol. 113, p. 00103). EDP Sciences.
Tricco, A. C., Lillie, E., Zarin, W., O'Brien, K. K., Colquhoun, H., Levac, D., Moher, D., Peters, M. D. J., Horsley, T., Weeks, L., Hempel, S., Akl, E. A., Chang, C., McGowan, J., Stewart, L., Hartling, L., Aldcroft, A., Wilson, M. G., Garritty, C., Lewin, S., … Straus, S. E. (2018). PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and explanation. Annals of Internal Medicine, 169(7), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850
Tripon, C., Gonța, I., & Bulgac, A. (2023). Nurturing minds and sustainability: An exploration of educational interactions and their impact on student well-being and assessment in a sustainable university. Sustainability, 15(12), 9349. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129349
Üzmez, A., & Kavakli Ulutaş, N. (2024). An inquiry on the psychological well-being of the university students during emergency remote teaching: Application of the EMPATHICS model. Smart Learning Environments, 11(1), 17.
Vagos, P., & Carvalhais, L. (2022). Online versus classroom teaching: Impact on teacher and student relationship quality and quality of life. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 828774. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.828774
Van Petegem, K., Aelterman, A., Rosseel, Y., & others. (2007). Student perception as moderator for student well-being. Social Indicators Research, 83, 447–463. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-006-9055-5
Vayre, E., & Vonthron, A.-M. (2017). Psychological engagement of students in distance and online learning: Effects of self-efficacy and psychosocial processes. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 55(2), 197-218. https://doi.org/10.1177/0735633116656849
Walters, T., Simkiss, N. J., Snowden, R. J., & Gray, N. S. (2022). Secondary school students’ perception of the online teaching experience during COVID‐19: The impact on mental well-being and specific learning difficulties. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(3), 843–860. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12481
Wang, Y. (2023). The research on the impact of distance learning on students’ mental health. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 12527–12539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11693-w
Xiao, M., Tian, Z., & Xu, W. (2023). Impact of teacher-student interaction on students’ classroom well-being under online education environment. Education and Information Technologies, 28, 14669–14691. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11681-0
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Technology in Education

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Articles may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Authors alone are responsible for the contents of their articles. The journal owns the copyright of the articles. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of the research material.
The author(s) of a manuscript agree that if the manuscript is accepted for publication in the International Journal of Technology in Education (IJTE), the published article will be copyrighted using a Creative Commons “Attribution 4.0 International” license. This license allows others to freely copy, distribute, and display the copyrighted work, and derivative works based upon it, under certain specified conditions.
Authors are responsible for obtaining written permission to include any images or artwork for which they do not hold copyright in their articles, or to adapt any such images or artwork for inclusion in their articles. The copyright holder must be made explicitly aware that the image(s) or artwork will be made freely available online as part of the article under a Creative Commons “Attribution 4.0 International” license.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
