How Social Belonging Affects Mental Health in College Students
It is common knowledge that college students face not only challenges like continual assignments and exams, but also a range of mental health problems. In 2019, the American College Health Association surveyed almost 68,0000 undergraduate students and found that 25.5% experienced severe depression and 43.6% felt overwhelming anxiety within the month prior to being surveyed. By contrast, in 2008, these percentages were 15.8% and 30.9% of students surveyed respectively. With this significant increase over the years in the percentage of students experiencing mental health problems, researchers are looking toward factors that contribute to psychological well-being. One major indicator is the sense of social belonging that students feel within their communities. Studies have shown that social acceptance, among other details, may hold a key to improving the mental health of college students.
Researchers from Middlebury College explored the relationship between belonging and mental health, conducting surveys to measure college students’ levels of depression, anxiety, stress, sense of belonging, and emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ is the ability to perceive emotions accurately, to use emotions to assist thought, and to manage emotions. Students reported their feelings of belonging by answering 12 questions about social inclusion and rejection. Similarly, EQ was determined through their responses to questions about their attention to emotions, clarity of emotions, and emotional repair skills. From these data, the researchers concluded that students who experience more social belonging have better mental health. Furthermore, they found that while social inclusion contributed to predicting mental health, experiences of social rejection were a stronger predictor of mental health levels. Put simply, individuals may feel both acceptance and rejection in their lives, but the experiences of rejection will have a stronger impact on their mental health as well as on their perception of their belonging.
Researchers from Middlebury College explored the relationship between belonging and mental health, conducting surveys to measure college students’ levels of depression, anxiety, stress, sense of belonging, and emotional intelligence (EQ). EQ is the ability to perceive emotions accurately, to use emotions to assist thought, and to manage emotions. Students reported their feelings of belonging by answering 12 questions about social inclusion and rejection. Similarly, EQ was determined through their responses to questions about their attention to emotions, clarity of emotions, and emotional repair skills. From these data, the researchers concluded that students who experience more social belonging have better mental health. Furthermore, they found that while social inclusion contributed to predicting mental health, experiences of social rejection were a stronger predictor of mental health levels. Put simply, individuals may feel both acceptance and rejection in their lives, but the experiences of rejection will have a stronger impact on their mental health as well as on their perception of their belonging.
A greater sense of belonging can help protect college students from worsening or developing new mental health issues.
Image Source: Leah Kelley
Because humans are very social animals, it comes as no surprise that social belonging correlates with better mental health in college students. A greater sense of inclusion can help to alleviate depression, loneliness, and social anxiety. Furthermore, students can benefit from forming a support network, which acts as a protective barrier to the difficulties of life that they may experience, resulting in overall better mental health. Through their surveys, the Middlebury College researchers also found that students with more emotional intelligence feel a higher sense of belonging. Emotionally intelligent students may feel more included because of their skills in understanding emotions and social situations. Together, this high emotional intelligence and sense of community contribute to better mental health in these students.
The results from this study suggest that the development of a sense of belonging and EQ skills in students could help to improve mental health. To promote inclusion, the researchers encouraged colleges to adopt intervention efforts, such as counseling, to help students combat feelings of rejection and isolation. Additionally, campus-wide programs that promote healthy student interactions should be continued in order to create support networks and reduce students’ feelings of rejection. Similarly, developing emotional intelligence skills in college students can add to these efforts. Working to understand one’s own emotions through reflection and self-awareness can increase EQ, and taking the time to analyze and comprehend the feelings of others can help reduce feelings of isolation and rejection. Colleges that promote mental well-being through efforts to boost EQ skills and increase social belonging may see that students feel more connected and happier on their campuses. With more inclusion, many college students may find themselves able to return to focusing on their upcoming assignments and exams rather than being hindered by poor mental health.
The results from this study suggest that the development of a sense of belonging and EQ skills in students could help to improve mental health. To promote inclusion, the researchers encouraged colleges to adopt intervention efforts, such as counseling, to help students combat feelings of rejection and isolation. Additionally, campus-wide programs that promote healthy student interactions should be continued in order to create support networks and reduce students’ feelings of rejection. Similarly, developing emotional intelligence skills in college students can add to these efforts. Working to understand one’s own emotions through reflection and self-awareness can increase EQ, and taking the time to analyze and comprehend the feelings of others can help reduce feelings of isolation and rejection. Colleges that promote mental well-being through efforts to boost EQ skills and increase social belonging may see that students feel more connected and happier on their campuses. With more inclusion, many college students may find themselves able to return to focusing on their upcoming assignments and exams rather than being hindered by poor mental health.
Image Source: vait_mcright
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