Lack of Belonging Predicts Depressive Symptomatology in College Students

Abstract

Feeling a sense of belonging is a central human motivation that has consequences for mental health and well-being, yet surprisingly little research has examined how belonging shapes mental health among young adults. In three data sets from two universities (exploratory study: N = 157; Confirmatory Study 1: N = 121; Confirmatory Study 2: n = 188 in winter term, n = 172 in spring term), we found that lower levels of daily-assessed feelings of belonging early and across the academic term predicted higher depressive symptoms at the end of the term. Furthermore, these relationships held when models controlled for baseline depressive symptoms, sense of social fit, and other social factors (loneliness and frequency of social interactions). These results highlight the relationship between feelings of belonging and depressive symptoms over and above other social factors. This work underscores the importance of daily-assessed feelings of belonging in predicting subsequent depressive symptoms and has implications for early detection and mental health interventions among young adults.

Roles of survival situation and personality temperament in the relationship between life stress and depression of higher vocational college students

“…Partial mediation model showed that on one hand, life stressors can directly induce depressive episodes, stimulation frustration and multiple loading were the main stressors for vocational students. Long-term frustration in studies, improper management of interpersonal relationship and increasing employment pressure cause heavy psychological burden on students, who can not find a sense of belonging, with a result of depression [ 36 ]. On the other hand, life stressors can induce depressive episodes through stress response [ 37 ], which further verifies the diathesis-stress theory of depression.…”

Development and Validation of a Short Scale of College Belonging

“…Belonging has been theorized that it must be satisfied first before achieving other higherorder needs (e.g., self-actualization;Staryhorn, 2018). For college students in particular, feelings of belonging are linked to less depressive symptoms (Dutcher et al, 2022), greater sense of meaning in life (Lambert et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2018), life satisfaction (OECD, 2017), and better emotional well-being (see Allen et al, 2018 for review).…”

First semester college experiences: Associations with substance use and mental health

“…The few studies examining first year college student experiences focus primarily on belonging, safety, homesickness, and academic stress. Students feeling less belonging ( Dutcher et al, 2022 , Gopalan and Brady, 2020 ), unsafe ( Maffini, 2018 ), homesick ( Thurber & Walton, 2012 ), or academic stress ( Newcomb-Anjo et al, 2017 ) may report more depression, anxiety, or perceived stress. Those feeling less belonging or more homesickness are less likely to finish college ( O’Keeffe, 2013 , Thurber and Walton, 2012 ).…”

“…Social support may mitigate these risks by helping students cope with academic stress ( Dwyer & Cummings, 2001 ). Greater belonging is associated with retention, better mental health, and use of campus services ( Dutcher et al, 2022 ), but may be related to greater binge drinking ( Berger et al, 2022 ). According to the transition catalyst model, risk-taking and substance use may be factors in the developmental transition in young adulthood, where the role of alcohol potentially facilitates socializing and making new friends when entering new environments ( Schulenberg & Maggs, 2002 ).…”