In order to study the relationships between work satisfaction and ment
al health in a group known to be at risk for psychological distress, u
niversity students who were somewhat older than usual (n=568, average
age 24 years) provided information by questionnaire about their satisf
actions from study and paid work, and their level of psychological dis
tress. The measure of study satisfaction was a modified fomi of Warr e
t al.'s (1979) Job Satisfaction Scale, and had good reliability. Study
satisfaction was lower for undergraduate than for postgraduate studen
ts, due to lack of clearly defined identity, less supportive relations
with fellow-students and teaching staff, and financial hardship. For
all subjects the availability of teacher support predicted study satis
faction, and study satisfaction had a major influence on the students'
psychological well-being.