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.

Keywords

• University students
• subjective well-being
• meta-synthesis
• quality of life

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Yaşam Kalitesi: Bir Metasentez Çalışması

Abstract

Yaşam kalitesi, öğrencilerin akademik başarısında önemli bir role sahiptir. Alan yazında, öğrencilerin yaşam kalitesine yönelik yapılan birçok nicel çalışma sonucunda, yaşam kalitesindeki olumsuzlukların akademik erteleme ve okul terk oranlarında bir artışa yol açtığı gözlemlenmiştir. Fakat, üniversite öğrencilerinin yaşam kalitelerini inceleyen nitel çalışmalara pek rastlanmamaktadır. Bu meta sentez çalışmasında, Kritik Değerlendirme Becerileri Programı (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) kriterleri göz önünde bulundurularak altı makale seçilip incelenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, öğrenciler üzerindeki baskılar, sosyo-psikolojik engeller ve hiyerarşi olmak üzere üç tema ortaya çıkmıştır. Aynı zamanda, alan yazın ile paralel olarak tıp ve sağlık bilimleri alanlarında öğrenim görmekte olan üniversite öğrencilerinin yaşam kalitesi bağlamında daha büyük bir risk altında olduklarına dair bulgular elde edilmiştir. Bu alanda yapılacak çalışmalarda karma yöntemlerin kullanılarak daha bütüncül bir bakış açısı getirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Keywords

• Üniversite öğrencileri
• yaşam kalitesi
• öznel iyi oluş
• meta sentez

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