As student activism continues to roil campuses, concerns have arisen about the mental health costs associated with activist-oriented civic engagement. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 42 self-identifying student activists from across the United States, this study examines how activists describe the impact of their activism on their mental health. While just under one third of the respondents perceived a positive effect, 60% of the respondents noted adverse consequences to their psychological well-being. Nevertheless, these respondents remained committed to continuing their activism. Four factors surfaced in activists’ reflections on their mental health, which, while not responsible for positive mental health outcomes, did help offset the stress, exhaustion, and guilt associated with activism. These four factors included social capital or connection to others, a sense of purpose, effecting change, and self-care and collective care. Respondents credited these factors with helping them to sustain the emotionally and physically difficult work of activism. Implications for higher education policy and practice are discussed.

随着学生激进主义继续扰乱校园，人们开始担心与以激进主义为导向的公民参与相关的心理健康成本。本研究通过对来自美国各地的 42 名自我认同的学生活动家的深入采访，研究活动家如何描述他们的活动对他们心理健康的影响。虽然不到三分之一的受访者认为有积极影响，但 60% 的受访者指出对他们的心理健康有不利影响。尽管如此，这些受访者仍然致力于继续他们的激进主义。活动家对其心理健康的反思中浮现出四个因素，这些因素虽然不会对积极的心理健康结果负责，但确实有助于抵消与活动相关的压力、疲惫和内疚。这四个因素包括社会资本或与他人的联系、目标感、影响改变以及自我照顾和集体照顾。受访者认为这些因素有助于他们维持激进主义在情感和身体上的困难工作。讨论了对高等教育政策和实践的影响。