Subjective well-being and its correlates among students of a medical college in Kolkata, West Bengal: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Subjective well-being (SWB) is known to have tremendous influence on physical and mental health. Subjective well-being of medical students who undergo a rigorous and stressful academic activity in India, is important issue of research. The study was aimed to assess the SWB of medical students in the eastern part of India and its correlates. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 166 students of a medical college of Eastern India during December, 2019 to March, 2020. SWB was assessed using WHO-5 well-being index. The respondents were enquired about their individual characteristics, perceptions and certain behaviors. Bivariate analysis was used to examine association between SWB and its correlates. Results: Nearly 60% of the participants were male (99, 59.6%); mean age of the participants were 19.8 (SD: 1.2) years. Almost four out of ten respondents had poor subjective well-being. SWB was positively associated with perceived SES and perceived family support. Mean standardized well-being score was significantly higher among participants who underwent regular physical exercise; who had higher frequency of exposure to humor; had been appreciated for any accomplishment; had felt real emotions like love and shared fondness/love through hugging or shaking hands in last 2 weeks. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of students had poor subjective well-being and physical exercise, appreciation and inculcating positive emotion might improve the situation.

Keywords

• analysis of variance
• exercises
• happiness
• medical
• students
• subjective
• who-5
• well-being