Abstract
Analyzing data from 957 first-year college students, this study used latent profile analysis to distinguish subgroups of students based on their perceived quality of life and examined predictors of quality of life. We explored quality of life patterns and how demographic information, self-esteem, suicidal ideation, academic satisfaction, and social support impacted students classified by those patterns. We identified four patterns, focusing on dimensions of wellness based on the Holistic Wellness Model: psychological wellness, physical wellness, social wellness, and environmental wellness. We found that self-esteem, suicidal ideation, academic satisfaction, and social support significantly predicted first-year students’ quality of life. Implications for research and practice related to first year students’ quality of life are discussed.