Psychological well-being of college students in The Royal University of Bhutan: a case study

Psychological well-being of college students in The Royal University of Bhutan: a case study

Kinley Seden* Kseden.sce@rub.edu.bt Royal University of Bhutan Bhutan
Deki, C. Gyamtso Dcgyamtso.pce@rub.edu.bt Paro College of Education Bhutan
Karma Gayphel Kgayphel.sce@rub.edu.bt Smatse College of Education Bhutan
Summary: 
Psychological well-being and mental health among higher education students are prevalent and increasing on university campuses. Evidence suggests that students are vulnerable to mental health problems which have generated increased public concern (Chao, 2012; Bewick et al., 2010). This study aims to explore the psychological well-being of students in one of the colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan. An explanatory two-phase mixed method design was employed. 210 students responded to the survey questionnaire and 10 students from six different programmes and four levels in the college participated in the interview. A convenient stratified and purposive sampling technique was applied. Ryff’s scales of psychological well-being (Ryff & Singer, 2008) were used to measure multiple facets of psychological wellbeing. The findings indicated that students involved in the study possessed mixed levels of overall psychological well-being as the participants were from six courses and five levels of varied ages. The quantitative results of this study showed a positive attitude toward Ryff’s six dimensions of psychological well-being across ages and programmes (M=4.70, M-4.92). However, the findings indicated that undergraduate students possessed higher levels of psychological well-being than the Master of Education students. Additionally, a strong positive correlation was observed amongst the six dimensions of psychological well-being. The qualitative findings highlighted environmental mastery and positive relations with others as critical in the promotion of the psychological well-being of the college students
Keywords: 
psychological well-being
teacher education
college students
factors
programmes
levels
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