Life satisfaction and risky behavior among arbaminch university students

Abstract

Background: Life Satisfaction has been linked to a wide range of physical, academic, emotional, psychological and social indicators of functioning in children and adolescents. Some of the risky behaviors that correlated with decreased life satisfaction are physical aggression, violence, possession of guns, suicide ideation, low academic performance, sexual risk-taking, and substance use. Objective:This study aimed to assess life satisfaction and its relationship with risky behavior among Arbaminch University students. Methods: A cross sectional institution based study was conducted in Arba Minch University from March 24-28/ 2013. Four hundred twenty eight students participated in the study. The total sample size was proportionally allocated to the six colleges based on the number of regular undergraduate students. Pre-tested instruments wereused for data collection and the data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to examine the relationship between life satisfaction and risky sexual behavior and substance use. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed and the effect of independent variables on the regression life satisfaction was quantified. Results: Three hundred seven (71.8%) of respondents were satisfied with their life. Regarding to satisfaction with different life domains, 79.6% of the respondents satisfied with family domain, 78.6% of the respondents satisfied with self domains and 72.6% of the respondents satisfied with friend domain. But 61.8% and 61.9% of respondents dissatisfied with university and living environment domain respectively. Correlation analyses revealed that higher satisfaction with overall life significant and inverse correlation with having multiple sexual partners (rho=-0.20, p=0.025), never use condom (rho=-0.2, p=0.037) and use of alcohol (rho=-0.23, p=0.002). Finally, gender, self-esteem and life meaning were significant predictor of students’ life satisfactions. Conclusions: Significant numbers of respondents were satisfied with their lives. Satisfaction with overall life had significant and inverse correlation with having multiple sexual partners, never use condom and use of alcohol. This shows that those students who are satisfied with overall life are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.