Wellbeing Heterogeneity within and Among University Students

The widespread international concern over the low average wellbeing of university students shows no sign of abating. Neglected in the debate is a recognition that wellbeing itself is multidimensional and not all components respond in the same way to external and internal pressures. We draw on a large sample survey of first year students who enrolled in a New Zealand university in 2019 and measure their wellbeing using the WHO-5 measuring instrument. Instead of modelling the index itself we address its five individual components. We apply the marginal (population-averages) model using the generalised estimating equation (GEE) method. As well as confirming earlier findings that students with poorer physical health and lower financial capacity experience lower levels of wellbeing, we document their uneven influence on the relative frequency with which the five individual components are experienced: being cheerful, calm, active, fresh and interested over the previous two teaching weeks.