Lifestyles, Self-Esteem and Mental Well-Being in Students Transitioning to Higher Education

Introduction: Lifestyle is characterized by identifiable behavioral patterns that can affect individuals’ health, and is considered one of the predominant factors for maintaining both quality of life and people’s health. This triad (lifestyle, quality of life and health) is closely associated with well-being. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between lifestyles, well-being, and self-esteem in students who have completed secondary education and are in the process of transitioning to higher education. Methods: Data were collected using a questionnaire of sociodemographic (e.g., age, gender) and physical (e.g., BMI) variables, a Self-Esteem Scale, a Well-Being scale, and the FANTASTICO Lifestyle questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using canonical correlation analysis and a Structural Equation Model. Results: The sample consisted of 235 students, with a mean age of 18.4 years. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that lifestyle explains 58.5% of the variance in mental health. The first (most important) canonical function (r = 0.86; p < 0.001) highlighted that the domains of introspection, sleep/stress management, and family/social support are the primary predictors of higher levels of self-esteem and psychological well-being. Structural Equation Modeling confirmed that lifestyle positively predicts psychological well-being through both direct and indirect pathways (β = 0.172; 95.0% BC CI 0.095, 0.253). Self-esteem emerged as a significant partial mediator in this relationship, suggesting that healthy lifestyle habits reinforce the perception of personal competence, which, in turn, enhances emotional adjustment. Together, these findings validate the dynamic triad between behavior, self-perception, and well-being during the transition to higher education. Conclusions: This study shows that the transition to higher education is a pivotal period where lifestyle patterns significantly shape students’ psychological adjustment. The findings confirm that a healthy lifestyle, specifically centered on stress management, sleep, and social support, serves as a robust predictor of both self-esteem and psychological well-being. By identifying self-esteem as a key partial mediator, the results suggest that healthy habits do more than just improve physical health.