Social Relationships and Psychological Well-Being: How Interpersonal Relationships Impact Overall Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of College Students

Abstract

Declining mental health is a growing epidemic on college campuses today. Research confirming this claim provides strong reason for psychologists, student affairs practitioners, and higher education administrators to address this problem by finding means of improving psychological health among college students. Previous research has found that social relationships are a significant predictor of psychological health and well-being. Using Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-being, the aim of this research is to empirically demonstrate the correlations between peer relationships and psychological well-being among college students living in three different residence hall communities at a large public research university.