Perceived Social Support and Well Being: First-Year Student Experience in University

Abstract

The current study explored first-year student experience in receiving social support and its relation to their ability to adapt with university ethos. It also explored how social support on academic adjustment, social adjustment and emotional adjustment among students were significantly associated with student well-being. This qualitative research utilized individual semi-structured interview protocols to gather narrative data from 16 university students. All students were interviewed twice in order to see changes and developments in receiving social support from university community, peers and family members. Data were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed by using thematic approach. It was then coded by independent coders. It has been found in this study that academic adjustments, social adjustment and emotional among new students are dependent on their abilities in receiving socio-educational support from friends (supportive friendship) and families. Results also revealed the powerful influence of parents and the importance of socio-relationship for student wellbeing. This study suggests that the concept of social support should go further than simply identifying it within the context of a university. Findings of this study also indicate the importance of student community, senior students and family-networks in adapting to a new learning environment. There are cumulative evidences from this research to suggest different types of networks in a multicultural university. Students' self-management skills are found to be vital for smoothness of transition to universities.

Predictors of Psychological Well-Being among Higher Education Students

“…Similarly, a non-experimental study found that support from family, friends and significant others were associated with positive psychological strengths and subjective well-being among engineering students (Khan & Husan, 2010). Another qualitative study in Malaysia highlighted the importance of social support on first-year students' well-being (Awang, Kutty, & Ahmad, 2014). Social interactions within (peer, senior and school support) and outside (family and sibling support) academic environments were of great importance on students' academic, social and emotional adjustment (Awang et al, 2014).…”

“…Another qualitative study in Malaysia highlighted the importance of social support on first-year students' well-being (Awang, Kutty, & Ahmad, 2014). Social interactions within (peer, senior and school support) and outside (family and sibling support) academic environments were of great importance on students' academic, social and emotional adjustment (Awang et al, 2014). Similarly, in New Zealand there is evidence that highlights the importance of both peer and family support (Benseman, Coxon, Anderson, & Anae, 2006;Glaser, Hall, & Halperin, 2006).…”

The role of sources of social support on depression and quality of life for university students

“…Social support has been shown to promote mental health and acts as a buffer against stressful life events (Dollete & Phillips, 2004). Social support is derived from a network of people drawn from family, friends and community (Awang, Kutty, & Ahmad, 2014;Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988). A lack of social support is a determinant of mental health problems including depressive symptoms among university students (Bukhari & Afzal, 2017;Safree & Dzulkifli, 2010), and has a negative impact on quality of life for students (Dafaalla et al, 2016).…”

“…Likewise, it was found that the impact of academic stress defined as frustrations, conflicts, pressures, changes and self-imposition on psychological wellbeing depends on the level of perceived social support from friends (Glozah, 2013). A study found that social support from family and friends has a substantial impact on the emotional, social and academic performance of university students (Awang et al, 2014). However, in this developmental stage of adolescence, friends are increasingly more important as a source of social support compared to family (Kugbey, 2015), as the emphasis shifts from parents to that of peers as the child seeks to individuate from family.…”

“My First Year in The University”: Students’ Expectations, Perceptions and Experiences

“…Thus far, little has been done on student engagement at higher education institutions (HEIs) in Malaysia. Although several studies have been conducted, they are based on small scale projects and individual universities (Abdullah et al, 2010;Awang et al, 2014, Kasim et al, 2012Yusoff, 2013).…”