Self-efficacy in health among university students: the role of social support and place

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to better understand the role of students’ living arrangements (on campus, off campus, with and without their parents) on their health self-efficacy. Participants A sample of undergraduate students (n = 216) were recruited by using word of mouth and visiting classrooms in a small Atlantic Canadian university. Methods Participants completed a self-report questionnaire measuring health and sleep self-efficacy. Analyses of variance and covariance were used to compare the living arrangements of the students. Results Differences between living arrangements were found. Students living on campus had higher health self-efficacy, particularly on the psychological well-being subscale, followed by those living off campus with their parents. Students living off campus without their parents had the lowest scores. Conclusion This study demonstrated that health self-efficacy varies according to students’ living situations, thus illustrating the importance of keeping students’ living arrangements in mind when designing health and well-being interventions.