The Effects of Loneliness and Social Isolation on University Students' Happiness: Focusing on the Moderating Role of Leisure Life Satisfaction

This study aims to analyze the effects of loneliness and social isolation on the happiness of university students and to examine whether leisure life satisfaction has a moderating effect on this relationship. A survey was conducted with 151 students enrolled at D University in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the collected data were analyzed. The results showed that loneliness and social isolation had negative effects on life satisfaction and positive emotions, and a positive effect on negative emotions. In contrast, leisure life satisfaction positively affected life satisfaction and positive emotions. Notably, leisure life satisfaction showed a significant moderating effect on the relationship between loneliness/social isolation and life satisfaction, whereas no statistically significant moderating effects were found for positive or negative emotions. These findings suggest that leisure life satisfaction may help mitigate the negative effects of loneliness and social isolation and highlight the importance of promoting leisure activities and creating environments that support the formation of social relationships to enhance university students’ happiness.