Wellbeing differences between students in China, Thailand and the USA. (2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Monk-Turner, Elizabeth; Turner, Charlie; Jiliang, Ma
• Is Part Of: International journal of happiness and development. Volume 3:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 162
• Page End: 174
• Publication Date: 2016
• Subjects: subjective wellbeing -- SWB -- college students -- China -- Thailand -- USA -- United States -- drug use -- wellbeing differences -- student wellbeing -- mental health -- family contact -- friends -- physical health -- future needs -- college experience; Happiness -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Happiness -- Periodicals; Well-being -- Periodicals; Quality of life -- Periodicals; 302.5
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-2790

Abstract

In this exploratory study, subjective wellbeing (SWB) differences between college students in China, Thailand and the USA are examined. Utilising a convenience sample of 314 students, data show that significant predictors of wellbeing for all students are enjoying good mental health, regularly seeing family and friends, reporting good physical health, feeling positively about having enough resources for future needs, and feeling positively about their past year of college. For Chinese students, SWB is positively associated with regularly seeing family and friends and reporting their past year of college was a good one. Like Chinese students, US students enjoy greater SWB if they regularly see family and friends. SWB among the US sample is also positively shaped by having enough resources to meet future needs and reporting good mental health. Finally, Thai students who report good physical health and who ranked their income as very good in the past year experience greater SWB than others, all else equal.