School activity participation and sense of belonging among U.S. college students.

Objective: To determine whether activity participation is associated with a greater sense of belonging among U.S. college students. Participants: Cross-sectional survey data from the 2023-2024 Healthy Minds Study (n = 27,965 students [148 institutions]). Methods: Students reported participation in 18 activities, which were grouped into four categories: academic/major, athletic/dance, service/identity, and social. Participation was assessed by any activity, activity type, category, and number of activity categories (diversity). Belonging scores were compared between participants and non-participants and across subgroups for three student characteristics: gender identity, race and ethnicity, and first-generation status. Results: Belonging scores were significantly (p < .001) higher for participants than non-participants for any activity, 16 of 18 activity types, all activity categories, and with greater activity diversity. Activity participation was positively associated with belonging across all student subgroups (p < .005). Conclusions: Activity participation was associated with greater belonging across a range of activity types and categories and with greater activity diversity.