Boon, Helen J., Kihmi, Shaul, Sapountzaki, Kaliope, Permak, Merle, Groh, Arnold, and Ryan, Saskia (2017) Preliminary findings from an international study of subjective wellbeing in tertiary students. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 3 (3). pp. 26-42.

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Abstract

Experiencing high levels of subjective wellbeing is a central criterion of positive mental health in all groups of individuals. Wellbeing is not only the result of favourable life circumstances such as academic success and satisfying relationships, but also a predictor and part cause of these outcomes. More specifically, in relation to university students, wellbeing is important for influencing not only their academic outcomes, their attitudinal and career outcomes, but also outcomes that benefit communities and society at large. Religiosity has been implicated in wellbeing. For example a 14-year follow-up study found that attending religious services predicted a 22% reduced risk of developing major depression in adults while another longitudinal study showed that higher self-reported religiosity/spirituality predicted a 90% decreased risk of major depression in adults. This study reports the correlates of subjective wellbeing in an international sample of 1031 tertiary students from Australia, Great Britain, Israel, Germany and Greece using three proxy measures: reported distress symptoms using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), quality of life evaluation using the Kimhi and Eshel 'Recovery from War' Scale, and individual resilience using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Results show a number of significant differences based on ethnicity, religiosity, religious affiliation, gender and discipline area of tertiary study. Findings are discussed in relation to prior research and possible interventions that could be instigated in higher education institutions to help increase student wellbeing.

Item ID:	51566
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	2201-1323
Keywords:	Resilience, tertiary students, religion, distress symptoms, wellbeing.
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2017 02:49
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5201 Applied and developmental psychology > 520102 Educational psychology @ 70% 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology @ 30%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920413 Social Structure and Health @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920407 Health Protection and/or Disaster Response @ 50%
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