Flourishing levels among health and non-health profession students in Saudi Arabian colleges

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the levels of flourishing among university students, compare these levels between students in health-related and non-health-related colleges, and identify factors that predict flourishing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, involving 1,148 students from the first to fourth year across both academic sectors. Data were collected utilizing the self-reported Global Flourishing Study Questionnaire (GFS) during the period from September 2023 to June 2024. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to ensure a representative sample, with data collection facilitated through a self-administered electronic link on QuestionPro resulting in a response rate of 51.7%. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22, incorporating descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis to identify predictors of flourishing. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The study included nearly equal proportions of students from health (51.0%) and nonhealth (49.0%) colleges. The average flourishing score was 85.6 (SD=18.6), with a slight increase in health colleges (85.7) compared with non-health colleges (85.4). Factors that significantly affected flourishing included gender, employment status, exercise frequency, experiences of abuse, and income. In the multiple regression analysis, well-being emerged as the strongest predictor, followed by external factors, disposition, and behavior. Gender exhibited a positive association with flourishing, whereas religion had a negative influence. Furthermore, employment and higher income levels were found to positively contribute to flourishing. Conclusion: This study revealed elevated levels of flourishing among university students in Saudi Arabia, with a notable average score of 85.6. Although the differences between students enrolled in health-related and non-health-related colleges were minimal, significant predictors of flourishing were identified, including well-being, external factors, disposition and behavior, gender, religious affiliation, employment status, income, frequency of exercise, and experience of abuse. These findings underscore the complexity of flourishing and highlight the necessity of considering a range of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors to promote student well-being.