Social Well-being, Emotional Intelligence, and Quality of Life in Medical Sciences Students in Northeastern Iran

Introduction Assessment of social health and quality of life among students, as future healthcare service providers, constitutes a vital and essential undertaking. The present study was conducted with the objective of examining the relationship between social well-being, emotional intelligence, and quality of life among medical students. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 154 students from Shahroud University of Medical Sciences were selected in 2025 and assessed using validated questionnaires measuring social well-being, emotional intelligence, and quality of life. Between-group mean comparisons were conducted using t-tests, and the relationships between variables and quality of life were examined through multivariable regression modeling. Results The mean age of students was 22.4±2.9 years. The mean social well-being score was 89.6±11.7. Seventy-nine participants (51.3%) demonstrated moderate social well-being, while 75 participants (48.7%) exhibited poor social well-being status. The mean emotional intelligence score was 106.2±11.0. The mean quality of life score among students was 55.17±9.31. Within the quality of life domains, the highest scores were observed in the physical health dimension, whereas the lowest scores were recorded in the social health dimension. In the final regression model, social well-being, emotional intelligence, age, and paternal occupation were identified as significant predictors of students' quality of life scores. Discussion The mean scores for social well-being status, emotional intelligence, and quality of life among medical sciences students were at moderate levels. Conclusion It appears that interventional measures aimed at improving social well-being status, along with the implementation of orientation and educational programs focusing on lifestyle approaches within academic environments and enhancement of emotional intelligence, could be effective in improving their quality of life.