Satisfaction with life among university students from nine countries: Cross-national study during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background A cross-sectional study was performed to examine life satisfaction differences between university students from nine countries during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-national comparison of the association between life satisfaction and a set of variables was also conducted. Methods Participants in the study were 2349 university students with a mean age of 23 years (M = 23.15, SD = 4.66). There was a predominance of women (69.26%) and individuals studying at the bachelor level (78%). The research was conducted between May and July 2020 in nine countries: Slovenia (n=209), the Czech Republic (Czechia)(n=308), Germany (n=267), Poland (n=301), Ukraine (n=310), Russia (n=285), Turkey (n=310), Israel (n=199), and Colombia (n=153). Participants completed an online survey involving measures of satisfaction with life (SWLS), exposure to COVID-19, perceived negative impact of coronavirus (PNIC) on students' well-being, general self-reported health (GSRH), physical activity (PA), and some demographics (gender, place of residence, level of study). A one-way ANOVA was used to explore cross-national differences in life satisfaction. The χ2 independence test was performed separately in each country to examine associations between life satisfaction and other variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify life satisfaction predictors among a set of demographic and health-related variables in each of the nine countries. Results The level of life satisfaction varied between university students from the nine countries. The results for life satisfaction and the other variables differed between countries. Numerous associations were noted between satisfaction with life and several variables, and these showed cross-national differences. Distinct predictors of life satisfaction were observed for each country. However, poor self-rated physical health was a predictor of low life satisfaction independent of the country. Conclusions The association between life satisfaction and subjective assessment of physical health seems to be universal, while the other variables are related to cross-cultural differences. Special public health attention should be focused on psychologically supporting people who do not feel healthy.

Prevalence and determinants of mental well-being and satisfaction with life among university students amidst COVID-19 pandemic

“…However, a recent study conducted among nine countries university students found that higher satisfaction with life (60.54%). However, Columbia reported the highest satisfactory (81.94%) students and on the other hand Turkey reported the lowest prevalence of life satisfaction (28.06%) of students (Rogowska et al, 2021). Moreover, a recent study in Germany revealed that 72.2% students are suffering from serious impairment of mental well-being (Brähler et al, 2007), and another study revealed that 75.8% have serious indication of mental disorder (Holm-Hadulla et al, 2021).…”

“…Total scores ranged from 5 to 35, with the lowest scores indicating Extremely dissatisfied (scores between 5 and 9), scores between 10 and 14 indicating dissatisfied, 19-19 indicating Slightly dissatisfied, 20 indicating Neutral, 21-25 indicating slightly satisfied, 26-30 indicating Satisfied, and 31-35 indicating Extremely satisfied. The SWLS has demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties, a significant degree of internal consistency (Cronbach’s varying from 79 to 89 in various studies), and a greater level of chronological reliability (Rogowska et al, 2021), (Aishvarya et al, 2014). In the present study, the SWLS found to be have very good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha =0.88)…”

Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress versus Health Promoting Behavior among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In both cases, it was higher than in the research conducted by Rogowska, where the result obtained in a group of 605 students was 19.78 ± 7.00 points, Refs. [ 28 , 34 ], and in the Lopes study from March 2020, where the satisfaction was 20.00 ± 0.85 points. [ 35 ], as well as in the Turkish research by Aslan (16.72 ± 6.81 points) [ 32 ].…”

The effect of laughter therapy on nursing students' anxiety, satisfaction with life, and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: Randomized controlled study

“…In this process, it has been observed that the feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and unhappiness caused by distance education and the COVID19 pandemic lead to high levels of anxiety and stress in students [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] . Studies have shown that high anxiety levels affect students' adaptation to daily life and life satisfaction [8] , [9] , which has a negative effect. In recent years, non-pharmacological techniques have been widely used to reduce anxiety and stress [10] , [11] .…”