The well-being of residential students of the North-West University involved in Student Rag Community Service (SRCS)

Abstract

Well-being can be defined as being engaged in life and expressing one's social, emotional, physical and intellectual potential in leading a life with purpose, meaningful relationships with others and proficiency and self-regard (Keyes, Ryff, & Shmotkin, 2002; Ryff & Singer, 1998). The study was conducted from the theoretical perspective of the Mental Health Continuum compiled by Keyes (2002; 2007) and Wissing (2014) who conceptualised well-being in terms of psychological well-being, emotional well-being and social well-being. Various studies have highlighted the benefits of community engagement but few studies have been conducted in the context of the North-West University (NWU). The North-West University's Potchefstroom Campus is home to the largest student driven community engagement initiative in South Africa, called the Student Rag Community Service (SRCS). The aim of this study was to determine whether being involved in SRCS has an influence on the well-being of students living in residences on the Potchefstroom Campus. A quantitative cross-sectional design and online structured questionnaire (Mental Health Continuum Short Form) was used to collect data from 793 respondents. The sample was determined by using a consecutive sampling technique. This technique was utilised to ensure that all students that were willing to participate were included in the sample and both those involved in SRCS and those who are not involved as represented optimally. Subsequently the data was statistically analysed using SPSS-25. This study found that involvement in SRCS had no significant effect on whether students flourished, languished or experienced moderate levels of well-being. A marginal difference was found in the social well-being with students involved in SRCS experiencing higher levels (p < .05). Additionally, this study found that age, year of study and academic faculty had no influence on well-being. Male students reported higher levels of well-being than female students. There were also differences in well-being between the 28 residences which were spread from marginal to largely significant differences. In comparison to the general population, students were found to be flourishing more and experiencing higher levels of well-being.