Long-term Health Implications of Students' Friendship Formation During the Transition to University

Background:
The transition to university is a major life change wherein young adults’ primary support system shifts from the family to peers. Can change in social integration (operationalised as number of friends) during the first term at university contribute to students’ health years later, and if so, how?
Methods:
The friendship formation of 67 students at a large Canadian university was assessed during their first term. These data were used to predict self‐reported health and health behaviors (physical exercise, diet, tobacco, alcohol and marijuana consumption) at a follow‐up assessment that occurred near the end of their time at university (2 or 3 years later).
Results:
Linear regression models showed that students who made more friends in their first term reported better health and a healthier diet at the follow‐up (2 or 3 years later). Perceived social support at the follow‐up mediated the relationship between friendship formation and self‐reported health but not diet.
Conclusions:
This study provides evidence for both (1) an indirect effect of friendship formation on self‐reported health via perceived social support, and (2) a direct effect of friendship formation on a healthy diet. Broadly, these results highlight the importance of friendship formation and social integration for the long‐term well‐being of university students.