Factors associated with happiness among college students: do academic self-efficacy and stress predict happiness

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between academic self-efficacy, academic stress and happiness among college students. In 2017, we recruited 290 students at an Iranian medical science university to participate in the study. The validated tools were used to collect data. Based on our findings, the significant determinants of happiness were gender (OR = 1.72 95% CI 1.01 - 2.93), the students' interest in their college major (OR = 2.17 95% CI 1.051 - 4.46), the first year of college (OR = 1.23 95% CI 1.12 - 1.35), high academic self-efficacy (OR = 2.20 95% CI 1.56, 2.18), and low academic stress (OR = 1.98 95% CI 1.02 - 3.82). Our findings highlighted the role of 'academic self-efficacy', 'academic stress', and 'interest in college' in predicting happiness among university students. The university healthcare providers should take into account these factors while designing mental health promotion programs aiming at happiness promotion among university students.