Subjective well-being has been extensively studied across disciplines, including economics, which initially linked it to monetary income. However, income perception—shaped by past economic conditions, social comparisons, and local living costs—plays a crucial role in well-being. This study examines the subjective well-being of students at the University of Bologna and the University of Messina, exploring the impact of perceived socioeconomic status and income in different territorial contexts. It compares students from internal and non-internal areas while accounting for social, cultural, and demographic factors. A survey conducted between April and June 2024 included 879 students from Bologna and 863 from Messina. Well-being was assessed using the Flourishing Scale, the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE), and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Hierarchical cluster analysis based on wellbeing scores was performed, followed by regression analysis incorporating socioeconomic and geographic indicators, student status (resident, non-resident, commuter), and origin from internal areas. Results are expected to reveal significant differences between universities, reflecting the influence of socioeconomic and territorial contexts. Students from internal areas may experience lower well-being due to limited access to services, geographic isolation, and fewer professional opportunities. Findings highlight the critical role of economic perceptions in psychological well-being and the distinct characteristics of university students compared to the general adult population. Understanding these dynamics can inform targeted psychological and financial support strategies.
Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0002-2305-8454
University of Messina, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0002-1075-4573
Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy
Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0002-5161-7989
Titolo del capitolo
Analyzing student well-being across unequal economic landscapes: A comparative study of Italian territories
Autori
Ida D'Attoma, Maria Gabriella Campolo, Camila Cid, Giorgio Tassinari
Lingua
Inglese
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1.31
Opera sottoposta a peer review
Anno di pubblicazione
2026
Copyright
© 2026 Author(s)
Licenza d'uso
Licenza dei metadati
Titolo del libro
Data, Statistics and AI for Well-Being of People and Organisations
Curatori
Luigi Fabbris, Alberto Franci, Pietro Renzi
Opera sottoposta a peer review
Numero di pagine
420
Anno di pubblicazione
2026
Copyright
© 2026 Author(s)
Licenza d'uso
Licenza dei metadati
Editore
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1
ISBN Print
979-12-215-1061-4
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-1062-1
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-1063-8
Collana
Applied Statistics Series