A predictive model for subjective well-being based on social support, sense of belonging and academic uncertainty in a Chilean university context

Un modelo predictivo para el bienestar subjetivo basado en el apoyo social, el sentido de pertenencia y la incertidumbre académica en el contexto universitario chileno

Jorge Maluenda-Albornoz , José Berríos-Riquelme , Matías Zamorano-Veragua , Ana B. Bernardo 
Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, (2024), 56, pp. 260-270.
Received 28 June 2024
Accepted 14 February 2025

https://doi.org/10.14349/rlp.2024.v56.26

Resumen

Introducción: El bienestar de los estudiantes ha tomado protagonismo en los últimos años debido al aumento de síntomas ansiosos y depresivos durante sus estudios. A pesar de extensas investigaciones no hay claridad respecto del valor diferencial que tienen diferentes variables de integración social en el contexto académico sobre el bienestar subjetivo de los estudiantes. El objetivo de este artículo es evaluar un modelo predictivo de bienestar subjetivo basado en el apoyo social percibido, el sentido de pertenencia y la incertidumbre en el contexto académico durante los estudios universitarios. Método: Se realizó un estudio asociativo-predictivo que incluyó a 853 (25.6 % hombres, 72.2 % mujeres y 2.2 % no binario) estudiantes de Psicología (60.6 %) y Trabajo Social (39.4 %) de una universidad chilena. En un corte transversal de tiempo, se aplicó un cuestionario compuesto de diferentes instrumentos para recolectar los datos. Posteriormente, se estimó un modelo predictivo de bienestar subjetivo, con base en las variables previamente señaladas, mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales utilizando el software Jasp 0.17.2.1. Conclusiones: Los resultados mostraron que tanto el apoyo social percibido como el sentido de pertenencia fueron predictores significativos y positivos del bienestar subjetivo. La incertidumbre experimentada no resultó ser un predictor del bienestar subjetivo, pero estaba inversamente relacionada con el apoyo y la pertenencia. Estos resultados ofrecen evidencia novedosa de la utilidad de incorporarlos al trabajo para mejorar los niveles de bienestar entre los estudiantes universitarios.

Palabras clave:
Bienestar subjetivo, pertenencia, apoyo social, incertidumbre académica, educación superior

Abstract

Introduction: The well-being of students has taken centre stage in recent years due to the increase in anxious and depressive symptoms while studying. Despite extensive research there is no clarity regarding the differential value that different variables of social integration in the academic context have on the subjective well-being of students. The objective of this paper was to evaluate a predictive model for subjective well-being based on perceived social support, sense of belonging and uncertainty in the academic context during university studies. Method: An associative-predictive study was carried out that included 853 (25.6% men, 72.2% women and 2.2% non-binary) students from ​​Psychology (60.6%) and Social Work (39.4%) at a Chilean university. In a cross-section of time, a questionnaire composed of several scales was applied to collect data. Subsequently, a predictive model of subjective well-being was estimated, based on the variables previously indicated, using the Structural Equation Modelling technique using Jasp 0.17.2.1 software. Conclusions: The results showed that both perceived social support and sense of belonging were significant and positive predictors of subjective well-being. Experienced uncertainty did not turn out to be a predictor of subjective well-being, but it was inversely related to support and belonging. These results offer novel evidence of usefulness to incorporate into work to improve levels of well-being among college students.

Keywords:
Subjective well-being, belonging, social support, academic uncertainty, higher education

Artículo Completo
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