How to enhance students’ well-being in Spain: A multidimensional study based on multiobjective optimization

This paper addresses the multidimensional nature of the concept of student well-being from a multiple criteria decision making perspective, specifically differentiating between the social, physical, and mental dimensions. The main purpose is to analyze how the well-being levels among Spanish students could be improved. Using PISA 2022 data, three indexes of student well-being are constructed: social, physical and mental. Using econometric tools, a multiobjective optimization model is developed to simultaneously maximize the three proposed indexes. The resulting analysis makes it possible to evaluate the real possibilities for improving the three well-being dimensions and the scenarios that would make it possible (i.e., socio-educational context for the students). It allows foreseeing the impact of the change in one of the indexes on the other two. In addition, existing correlations between students' socio-educational characteristics are introduced into the model to represent the student’s context as realistically as possible. The results indicate that students who seek to optimize their well-being from the triple perspective adopted (physical, social, and mental) must make trade-offs between the indicators in order to achieve a balanced solution. • Student well-being is analyzed through a multiobjective optimization approach. • Social, physical and mental well-being indexes are built using PISA 2022 data. • Information about the COVID impact on the students is considered. • An optimal student profile is identified with quantitative techniques. • Findings provide insights for educational policies to enhance student well-being.