Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Social Bonds Theory: Analyzing College Students' Mental Health

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/1c18dm607

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  • According to the World Health Organization (2019), every 40 seconds, approximately one person from around the world dies from suicide. The highest percentage of adults with major depression and serious thoughts of suicide are between 18 to 25 years of age (Shen & Millet 2003-2012, p. 31). Studies have indicated suicide as one of the top three leading causes of death among college and university students (“Suicide Prevention” 2014, p. 1). Thus, college and university campuses within the United States have a higher risk of individuals dealing with mental health issues. The current study utilized a theoretical approach known as the social bonds theory by expanding its lens to focus on college students' mental health outcomes, such as, stress, loneliness, and depression. This study analyzes college students by connecting to the four social bonds: attachment bond (i.e. student relationships), commitment bond (i.e. motivation in college), involvement bond (i.e. engagement in activities), and belief bond (i.e. values towards faculty and higher education). More specifically, this study predicted a negative correlation between the social bonds and mental health outcomes. The results indicate that certain aspects of the social bonds theory can be applied to analyzing individuals mental health, with the attachment bond significantly related to all outcome measures. This study offers a new approach to using the social bonds theory outside from its original purpose, as well as a new approach to researching mental health. Implications and possible directions for future research are discussed.
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