Sense of belonging and its relationship with quality of life and symptom distress among undergraduate college students

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: This study examined sense of belonging and its relationship with quality of life, and psychological symptoms and distress in undergraduate students at Oklahoma State University. Data was collected in class through the use of multiple assessments/surveys including demographic form, Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R), Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), and Sense of Belonging Instrument (SOBI-P & SOBI-A). Data was analyzed by regressing SOBI-P & SOBI-A scores with the overall QOLI raw score and the three global indices of the SCL-90-R, in order to determine if a functional relationship between the concepts existed.

Findings and Conclusions: It was predicted that SOBI-P and SOPI-A could be combined to predict QOLI and SCL-90-R global indices scores. The results were statistically significant and supported the hypothesis that SOBI-P and SOBI-A scores had a functional predictive relationship with the overall QOLI raw score and the three global indices of the SCL-90-R. Thus it was concluded that sense of belonging, as measured by the SOBI, is an important mental health concept to consider in work with college students and within educational institutions. Additionally this study supported further exploration of the concept of sense of belonging and its impact on mental health.