Psychological Well-Being of First-Year University Students: A Comparative Analysis of Living Arrangements and Gender

Haryanti

Authors

Haryanti Poltekkes Kemenkes surakarta Author

Keywords:

psychological well-being, university students, boarding status, gender differences, emerging adulthood

Abstract

Background: University students face significant transitional challenges during emerging adulthood, which can impact their mental health. This study aims to analyse the psychological well-being (PWB) of university students, defined as the ability to realize one's potential and manage environmental demands, and examine the main and interaction effects of gender and boarding status.

Methods: This quantitative study involved 241 first-year university students aged 18-20 years. Data were collected using an 11-item Psychological Well-Being questionnaire adapted from Ryff’s model (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.87). Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and Two-Way ANOVA.

Results: The results showed that the majority of students (69.3%) had a moderate level of PWB (Mean = 33.41, SD = 4.23). Two-Way ANOVA revealed significant main effects for boarding status (p = 0.011) and gender (p = 0.032), as well as a significant interaction effect between gender and boarding status (p = 0.045). Post-hoc analysis indicated that female boarding students exhibited the most vulnerable PWB profiles compared to other groups.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that living arrangements and gender intersect to influence students' psychological adaptation. Universities are encouraged to develop targeted, gender-sensitive support programs, particularly for boarding students, to enhance their psychological well-being and resilience.

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