University of Twente Student Theses
Exploring the relationship between social contact and well-being among university students : an experience sampling study
Jung, J.A. (2021) Exploring the relationship between social contact and well-being among university students : an experience sampling study.
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| Abstract: | Background. University students face increasing psychological problems. High well-being evidently supports coping with psychological problems and is positively related to social contact. The relationship of well-being and social contact in students rarely has been studied with data derived from daily life experience, which could inspire new interventions for enhancing students’ mental health. Method. An experience sampling method study was conducted for 14 consecutive days among 32 university students. Social contact was measured three times a day by examining the daily frequency, relationship type and setting. Well-being was assessed with the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Results. Linear mixed models revealed weak, positive associations of well-being and social contact frequency on a between-person (b = .29, p ≤ .001) and within-person (b = .22, p ≤ .001) level. All examined relationship types and social settings possessed positive associations with well-being. Conclusion. The close relationship between well-being and social contact was observed also in daily life. All relationship types and settings come with significantly higher well-being than no contact, without a particular type or setting relating to well-being more than another. While contact frequency generally relates positively to well-being, the strength and direction of this association can differ greatly between individuals. Findings encourage the creation of tailored social contact opportunities in the university environment. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/88463 |
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