Understanding happiness among university students: The role of general health, psychological well-being, and sociodemographic variables

Abstract

Background: Happiness is an important dimension for university students since it can have a positive impact on students’ academic performance and social relationships. This research was conducted to investigate the role of sociodemographic variables in explaining individual differences in subjective happiness in a sample of university students and to test the mediating role of psychological well-being in the association between perceived general health and subjective happiness. Methods: Participants were 504 university students (62% female; Mage = 20.97; SD = 2.42). The data was collected in person using self-report scales for measuring general health, psychological well-being, and subjective happiness. Results: The results of the study indicated that students who study in the institution in which they want to study and students who were married or involved in a romantic relationship presented higher levels of subjective happiness. Additionally, the mediational proposed model showed that perceived general health was linked to subjective happiness through psychological well-being, specifically happiness and self-esteem. Conclusions: Prioritizing happiness can help create a more positive and fulfilling university experience for students. This can be achieved by promoting student’s general health and psychological well-being.

Keywords

• subjective happiness
• perceived general health
• psychological well-being
• university students.