Life Quality of University Students: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Abstract

Quality of life among students is considered an important contributor to academic success. Quantitative assessments of students’ life quality have identified it as a risk factor for academic procrastination and higher drop-out rates. Nevertheless, subjective investigations into university students’ life quality remain underexplored. In the present meta-synthesis, we identified six qualitative studies and implemented Critical Appraisal Skills Programme as an assessment tool. Three main themes emerged from our synthesis: pressures on students, social psychological barriers, and hierarchy. Our findings support the consensus that certain academic tracks such as medical and health sciences can act as a risk factor for life quality. We propose an integration of both quantitative and qualitative assessment to reach a more holistic perspective into students’ life quality.