Pathways to Happiness and Resilience Among University Students: Understanding the Role of Belongingness and Academic Engagement

Abstract In university settings, a high level of academic engagement and a strong sense of belonging among students are critical factors that significantly influence their well-being. This study aimed to assess the influence of these factors on the subjective happiness and resilience of university students. The sample comprised 503 university students who completed self-report measures assessing subjective happiness, resilience, belongingness, and academic engagement. The findings revealed that students with a stronger sense of belonging and higher academic engagement exhibited significantly greater subjective happiness and resilience than those with lower attributes. In addition, the social match and dedication subscales positively correlated with subjective happiness, while the social match and cultural capital subscales were positively associated with resilience. Finally, the model developed to examine the relationships among the variables indicated that the social match and identification with university subscales were positively associated with subjective happiness and resilience. Academic engagement did not demonstrate a significant association with either happiness or resilience. The results emphasize the importance of a supportive and engaging academic environment in promoting the well-being of university students. They also underscore the significance of implementing strategies to enhance students' sense of belonging and academic dedication to bolster their psychological resilience and happiness.