Subjective well-being and values – what matters to undergraduate students?

This study examines the subjective well-being of undergraduate students in relation to their value orientations, drawing on a questionnaire survey of 212 respondents. The objective is to identify key determinants of well-being with respect to health, family background, life achievements, and personal values. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, and exploratory factor analysis through Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation. The results reveal three dimensions of student well-being: (1) general context–overall life satisfaction and everyday activities; (2) individual context–living conditions, family background, and goal attainment; and (3) personal context–health, satisfaction, and happiness, significantly shaped by income and gender. In addition, values such as trust, security, family, and personal responsibility were found to play an important role in shaping students’ well-being. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating how life conditions and value orientations jointly influence subjective well-being and provides practical implications for universities seeking to foster students’ mental health and personal development.