Presentation

María Concepción Bustamante, Víctor López
Private Technical University of Loja

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the relationship between satisfaction with life ( SWLS ) and mental health indicators such as depression, perceived stress, psychological inflexibility and perceived loneliness among university students. This study was empirical and correlational; the sample consisted of 2648 university students from two private universities in Ecuador, aged 17- 21, and with an average age of 21.83 years (DE=3.372), of which 58.7 % were women and 41.3% men. The following instruments were applied to participants: Life Satisfaction Scale, Depression Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II and Loneliness Perception Scale version 3. Results indicate that satisfaction with life shows a significantly high negative correlation with depression (r=-0.500; p<0.001) perceived stress r=-0.520; p<0.001), psychological inflexibility r=- 0.517; p<0.001); and perception of loneliness (r=-0.423; p<0.001. These findings support the hypothesis that SWLS is a protective factor for the mental health of university students. Likewise, this research aims to promote the study of human strengths and virtues.

Keywords:satisfaction with life; mental health; university students and protective factor