Iranian Journal of Medical Education

Introduction: Given the importance of students’ social well-being and motivation in the educational system, the purpose of this research was to examine the role of social well-being in academic motivation and achievement of students at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytical study. The research population included all undergraduate students at Gonabad University of Medical Sciences in 2015. The sample size was determined at 285 using stratified sampling. Data collection tools were Keyes’ social well-being questionnaire and Vallerand’s academic motivation scale. The Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and regression.

Results: No significant difference was found in social well-being of students of different majors. A positive significant correlation was found between the components of social well-being, academic motivation and academic achievement (p<0/05). Findings on the role of social well-being in academic motivation revealed that 46.5 percent of the variance of academic motivation was explained by social well-being components (f=48.57, p<0.01). Findings also showed that 21.5 percent of the variance of academic achievement was explained by the components social prosperity, social cohesion, and social acceptance (f=15.24, p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results showed that social well-being plays a role in students’ academic motivation and academic achievement. Therefore, it is suggested that authorities of medical universities should duly consider and plan to enhance students’ social well-being.