Social adjustment and its socio-personal determinants: A comprehensive analysis of undergraduate students

The study, conducted in Punjab, India, examines the social adjustment and socio-personal determinants among undergraduate students from three universities: GNDU (Amritsar), PAU (Ludhiana), and PUP (Patiala). A random sample of 480 science students from the first and second years was selected. The findings reveal that second-year students had slightly better social adjustment, particularly those from PAU. Most students were 18 years old, first-born, from nuclear families, and had one sibling. Being the first-born with limited siblings may affect social interaction skills. Social adjustment in university refers to how students adapt to their new environment, develop relationships, and integrate into campus life. First-year students often experience stress during their transition from high school to university. Socio-personal factors like age, gender, sibling number, and birth order influence social adjustment. Additionally, family structure (e.g., nuclear vs. single-parent families) also impacts students' social and emotional development. Universities might consider implementing mentorship programs where senior students support first-year students to bridge the social adjustment gap. Educating parents about the importance of social interaction for first-born children could help develop better social skills early on. PAU's slightly better social adjustment rates hint that structured social integration activities (like clubs and group projects) could be beneficial. Other universities can take a cue from PAU's approach to improve social adjustment among their students.