The Journal of College & University Student Housing Vol. 47 No. 1 - 24

Julie M. Koch * Lindsay Murrell * Douglas Knutson * Dillon J. Federici

. . . initiatives to involve students

CONCLUSION

in groups throughout their tenure

This study found significant, positive relationships between the four key character strengths
of love, hope, zest, and curiosity; subjective
well-being; and social group participation in a
sample of college students. It is our hope that
understanding these relationships better will
allow college student personnel to improve the
quality of services for and interactions among
college students.

in college may be associated with
benefits well beyond traditional
metrics of retention, completion,
and post-graduation marketability.
If this is true, student-facing staff
on campus may benefit from
supporting efforts of residence
integrated role in promoting social

Ardaiolo, F., Neilson, S., & Daugherty, T. (2011).
Teaching students personal and social responsibility with measurable learning outcomes.
Journal of College and Character, 12(2), 9.

involvement among students.

Astin, A. (1993). What matters in college: Four critical
years revisited. Jossey-Bass.

life staff and taking a more active,

for the possibility of networking and connecting students to services that fit their needs. For
those working in residential settings, building relationships with campus organizations,
athletics, and various departments and being
more knowledgeable about resources available on campuses can help bridge these gaps
between the traditional services offered to students and the connectedness to groups that
can increase satisfaction with life. It can also
add a new dimension to the focus of existing
services (e.g., counseling) that students may
already be utilizing. The present research provides a better understanding of the importance
of social group participation, particularly for
students who feel isolated and alone and desire
that level of connection with others.

REFERENCES

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Campus: Enriching the Student Learning Experience, 20(6), 16-22.
Blimling, G. (2013). The resident assistant: Applications
and strategies for working with college students in
residence halls (7th ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing.
Bowman, N. A. (2010). The development of psychological well-being among first-year college students. Journal of College Student Development, 51,
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Braxton, J. M., Hirschy, A. S., & McClendon, S. A.
(2004). Understanding and reducing college student
departure. Jossey-Bass.
Carpenter-Song, E., Hipolito, M. M. S., & Whitley,
R. (2012). " Right here is an oasis " : How " recovery communities " contribute to recovery for
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Connolly Baker, K., & Mazza, N. (2004). The healing
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