Life Values among Higher Education Students of West Bengal: A Cross-Sectional Survey

The primary aim of this study was to explore the life values of higher education students in West Bengal, focusing on variations based on gender, habitation, social category, and stream of study. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 365 undergraduate and postgraduate students select a simple randomly from four institutions. The Life Values Inventory, consisting of 42 items rated on a 5-point scale, was used to assess these values. The findings revealed that female students exhibited higher life values than male students, and urban students demonstrated stronger life values compared to those from rural areas. Significant differences were observed among social categories, with general category students displaying higher life values. However, no significant differences were found between students studying arts and those in science. These results highlight the influence of demographic factors on life values and underscore the need for targeted support for students from rural and marginalized backgrounds. The findings were discussed with implications for future research, practice, and policy making.