Student belonging and well-being in higher education: Insights from five European universities

Abstract

A sense of belonging is crucial for student success. Yet, cross-national research on this topic is scarce. This study addresses this gap by examining the relationships between belonging, mental health, and well-being among 2072 students at five universities across five European countries. Using network analysis, we found a robust positive association between a sense of belonging and both well-being and life satisfaction across all institutions. The negative correlation between belonging and loneliness was strongest at the two universities with the largest international student populations. These findings underscore the universal importance of belonging and suggest that tailored university interventions, especially those focused on including international students, can be highly effective in mitigating loneliness and supporting student mental health.