Comparative examination of college sudents' demographics and well-being: Formulating a holistic wellness program

• Main Authors: Robiños, John Robby O., Ventura, Michelle M.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2024
• Subjects: College students—Health and hygiene—Philippines; Well-being; Health Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/13737
• Institution: De La Salle University

University years for young adults mark a transition period where new challenges, decision-making, interactions with others, and adjustment become very demanding. This embedded mixed-method research examined the well-being status of college students in a Philippine private HEI. Additionally, it analyzed significant differences between students’ demographics and level of wellness and aimed to propose a holistic well-being development program. Five hundred twenty (520) for quantitative and twelve (12) students for qualitative who manifested severe to high-risk well-being were selected using random and purposive sampling, respectively. Data were drawn from an adapted well-being survey examined for reliability (Ca=0.89) and a validated Guidance and Counseling consultation interview protocol. Mean, T-test, and ANOVA were conducted with a normal distribution to analyze quantitative data. Meanwhile, responses from the interview were utilized to support or contradict the numerical values. Results revealed that most respondents were female, graduating, and taking courses under the Business Programs and HUMSS cluster. As an impact of the pandemic, the well-being status of student respondents reflected that they see every day as an opportunity to help, care for, love, and support others. However, this was contradicted by those with severe to high-risk wellness issues, indicating isolation as their primary mechanism. Subsequently, well-being issues are related to physical health and function, mental wellness, and a sense of meaninglessness and hopelessness. Well-being status significantly varies when respondents are grouped according to their gender, year level, and courses taken. In prioritizing the holistic well-being of students, a program was proposed.