Social Capital and Quality of Life among University Students of Yasuj, Iran

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, quality of life (QOL) is largely associated with social capital and its components such as groups and networks, trust and solidarity, collective action and social cohesion, where social capital can both lead and improve QOL. The aim of this study was to determine the association between social capital and QOL among university students.

Methods: A random sample of 338 students from University of Yasuj participated in this cross-sectional study in 2016, during 8 months. Data is collected using demographics checklist, Iranian version of WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and Onyx and Bullen Social Capital Scale. All statistical analysis is performed using STAT 12.

Results: Mean age of the participants was 24±3.8 years (boys 24.9±4.6; girls 23.3±2.8). Students scored highest and lowest on physical health (69.2±16.8) and environmental health (51.5±22.3) dimensions of QOL and average score of total social capital scale was 85.5±12.9. A multiple linear regression analysis confirmed the significant association between all four health-related dimensions of QOL and social capital (P<0.001).

Conclusion: According to the results, a higher social capital can be indicative of an improved QOL among university students. Therefore, we may seek to build-up social capital by utilizing strategies such as developing social networking, social interactions, security, trust and sharing among university students.