The Relationship Between Social Connections and Multidimensional Well-being

The aim of this study was to evaluate the multidimensional well‑being of undergraduate students, including their emotional, psychological, social, and physical functioning. The study also examined whether multiple forms of social connection—connectedness to self, others, and the world—alongside experiences of social disconnectedness and group‑specific relational ties predicted well‑being. Undergraduate students (n = 139) completed validated measures of multidimensional well‑being (Mental Health Continuum–Short Form; RAND SF‑36), connectedness (Watts Connectedness Scale), social disconnectedness (Social Connectedness Instrument), and relational ties with specific groups (family, friends, classmates, instructors, and the university community). Regression analyses revealed that connectedness to the world was the strongest positive predictor of well‑being, while psychoemotional disconnectedness emerged as the strongest negative predictor. These findings highlight the importance of meaning‑based forms of connection during emerging adulthood and underscore the value of examining connection and disconnection as distinct constructs. Results point toward interventions that reduce emotional disconnection while fostering broader, world‑oriented forms of connection.