Mental health, social connectedness and quality of life according to emigration intention among graduate students

Abstract

Substantial evidence has accumulated through time showing that social connections are positively and causally related to mental and physical health, and consequently someone's quality of life. Research have shown that social connection is a greater determinant to health than obesity, smoking or high blood pressure. Lack of social connection and support are associated with declines in physical and psychological health as well as quality of life. Young people at the beginning of their professional and adult life, who are unsatisfied with their lives, might be more prone to decision to leave society they live in, and search for a better life somewhere else. The aim of this study is to explore the satisfaction with life with mental health and social correlates of emigration intention among young professionals. Study comprises 300 graduate students and young professionals who completed their university degree in last 3 years. Mental health was measured by MHC-SF scale, satisfaction with life with Personal-wellbeing index. Results revealed significant difference in mental health and community connectedness between those who want to emigrate and those who want to stay. Significant positive correlations exist between mental health and social connectedness. Findings point to importance of social variables for mental health and satisfaction with life and the role of those as potential predictors of emigration intention. The results also provide insights to new trends, but more importantly, a possibility to act proactively for the social politics with the aim to diminish emigration rate and create prosperous communities where social exclusion is avoided.