A 2026 study of 79,246 university students in the United States and Canada found that spending time with others had the strongest connection to well-being. Researchers compared 51 aspects of students’ lives, including financial stress, sleep and leisure activities. Their measure of well-being covered both mental health difficulties and positive experiences, such as supportive relationships, hobbies and a sense of purpose.
Students who spent more time meeting friends, taking part in student groups and attending cultural events generally reported greater well-being. Time devoted to responsibilities, including paid work and unpaid family duties, had the second-strongest association. The researchers suggest that contributing to something beyond oneself may also matter.
Relationship difficulties had the strongest negative association, including problems with friends, romantic partners and people sharing accommodation. Harmful alcohol or drug use, passive screen use and sleep problems were also linked to poorer well-being. Similar patterns appeared among students with and without diagnosed anxiety or depression.
The researchers suggest making face-to-face meetings easier through clubs, recreation and community events, rather than focusing only on reducing screen time. Counselling and educational programmes can help students develop friendships, communicate and handle disagreements. However, these activities are not a solution to mental illness on their own: students experiencing mental health conditions need access to effective professional care.
