Factors influencing perceived community connectedness among university students

Abstract

A large body of research shows that individual’s perceived sense of
connectedness with his or her community has a robust association with health,
well‐being, and productivity. However, little is known about the factors that
might influence oneʹs community connectedness (CC). Three hundred
university students from three higher education institutes responded to a selfadministered
questionnaire that included demographic, behavioural and
psychological measures such as (i) perceived community connectedness, (ii)
depression and (iii) Internet addiction. Results revealed that there was a
significant positive association of CC with age, number of siblings and SES and
a significant negative association with Internet addiction and depression.
Multiple regression found age, socio‐economic status (SES), Internet addiction
and level of depression were the significant factors influencing participants’ CC
[F (7, 292) = 26.406, p < .001, Adj. R2 = 0.373]. Findings are discussed in the light
of existing literature.