Identity profiles, motivations for attending university and study-related burnout: differences between Finnish students in professional and non-professional fields

Abstract Research suggests that the reported increase in student mental health issues such as study burnout might be related to students’ identity problems and their motivations for undertaking higher education. The present added this line of research by investigating associations between profiles, motives attending university a sample Finnish first-year students ( N = 430). Field (professional vs non-professional) factor was also evaluated because differing occupational prospects influence one’s sense identity. results showed (1) three profiles emerged (i.e. achievement, moderate moratorium diffusion), (2) achievement profile scored lowest on burnout, (3) most common among studying entry profession (4) highest internal university. It is concluded lack clear measures may more appropriate predicting progression well-being than or engaging field study.