Civic Activity and Well-Being Among First-Year College Students

Abstract

Institutions of higher education face the challenge of fostering academic success and well-being among students at a time when depression and substance abuse are on the rise within undergraduate populations. Evidence suggests that service-learning and community service promote undergraduate well-being in relation to substance use and psychological health. The study discussed in this article examined the association between civic activity and several aspects of well-being as it relates specifically to young adults during the first year of college. Results suggest that engaging in civic activities during the high school years or during the first year of college may serve to promote different aspects of well-being among first-year undergraduate students.