The relationship between resilience, happiness, and life satisfaction in dental and medical students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: Few studies have investigated positive psychological health among medical and dental students. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between resilience, satisfaction with life, and happiness among medical and dental students in private colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods: A total of 607 participants, from 3^rd-year students to interns, were involved in a cross-sectional study. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Resilience was measured by the Resilience Scale-14, happiness was measured by the subjective happiness scale, and life satisfaction was measured by the satisfaction With life scale. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression.

Results: There was a significant correlation between resilience and life satisfaction (P < 0.001), and between resilience and happiness (P < 0.001). There were 66.3% who have resilience below average and 24.7% who have satisfaction with life below average. Resilience was higher in females, dental students, and students with high family income than it was in the opposite subgroups.

Conclusion: Students with high resilience are happier and more satisfied with their lives. Establishing programs to help students improve their resilience is recommended.

Keywords: Dental students; Saudi Arabia; happiness; life satisfaction; medical students; resilience.