Well-Being Of First-Year UST-CRS Students of First-Term Academic Year 2019-2020: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: To describe the well-being and perceived well-being factors among freshmen students from the University of Santo Tomas - College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS) of the first term academic year 2019-2020. Methods: This descriptive quantitative study utilized the World Health Organization-QoL-BREF questionnaire to assess the different domains of well-being at the end of the first term of 214 first-year students from occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech-language pathology (SLP), and Sports Science (SPS) programs. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (α<0.05). Results: Most of the students in all programs reported being satisfied with their health and had a good overall perception of their QoL at the end of the first term. Furthermore, physical health (p = 0.46), psychological health (p = 0.44), social relationships (p = 0.98) and environment (p = 0.82) domains were found to be similarly high across all and within programs (OT: p = 0.24; SLP: p = 0.28; SPS: p = 0.51) except for PT students (p = <0.01). Academic demands & pressure, sleep, and high expectations from others or self were three main reported perceived factors influencing well-being. Further analyses revealed that family dynamics "and social & physical environment were significantly correlated with overall well-being. Conclusion and Implications: This research described the well-being and perceived factors of well-being among UST-CRS first-year students after the first term academic year 2019-2020. Data may serve as a baseline for future assessment and program development of a supportive well-being curriculum for students' holistic growth and advancement.