The role of perceived social support in predicting subjective wellbeing in Lebanese college students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of perceived social support (PSS) on subjective well-being (SWB) in Lebanese college students. All students were undergraduate students and followed the American educational system. Life satisfaction was assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the affective dimension of well-being was measured using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The degree of PSS was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Findings suggested that Lebanese college students were generally satisfied with their lives general and experienced more positive than negative affect. Female participants experienced more negative affect (NA) than male participants. The high income level group scored greater on the SWLS scale and perceived higher PSS. Lebanese youth perceived great levels of PSS and PSS was found to be an important positive predictor of subjective well-being. In conclusion, these findings reconfirm the importance of perceived social support as predictor of subjective-well-being among youth.