Introduction: Social well-being constitutes a fundamental dimension of overall health and significantly influences individuals’ quality of life and the effective functioning of society. Given the pivotal role of university students, particularly those enrolled in medical sciences, as future healthcare providers, evaluating their level of social well-being is of critical importance. This study aimed to assess the status of social well-being and its associated factors among students in the basic medical sciences program at Urmia University of Medical Sciences in 2024.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 basic medical sciences students. Based on Cochran’s formula and employing simple random sampling, a sample of 217 students was selected. Data were collected using Keyes’ Social Well-Being Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 22, incorporating descriptive statistics and inferential methods, including independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: The mean age of participants was 21.39 years. Of the sample, 52.7% were female and 47.3% male. The mean social well-being score was 104.9 ± 1.1, reflecting a moderate level of well-being. Statistically significant positive associations were observed between social well-being and gender (higher among females), marital status (linked to greater social integration), place of residence, socioeconomic status (particularly in relation to the acceptance dimension), and self-reported health status (associated with the integration, acceptance, and actualization dimensions) (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that students, especially those in medical sciences, face notable challenges concerning social well-being. This emphasizes the necessity for structured interventions to enhance social well-being within academic environments. Recommended strategies include gender-responsive social skills training, expanded counseling and support services for married students, integration of peer experiences into collaborative learning programs, enhancement of cultural and mental health initiatives in dormitories, promotion of group-based academic and extracurricular activities, and provision of financial and employment support for students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.