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Behavioral Sciences
Volume 15
Issue 11
10.3390/bs15111468
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Article

Lifestyle, Volition, and Well-Being Among Medical and Non-Medical University Students: A Preliminary Study

by
Giovanna Zimatore
1,2,†,
Ludovica Cardinali
2,†,
Carlo Baldari
1,
Manuela Minozzi
2,
Valerio Bonavolontà
3,*,
Piercesare Grimaldi
2,
Laura Guidetti
4,
Dafne Ferrari
2,‡ and
Maria Chiara Gallotta
5,‡
1
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, DiSTA, eCampus University, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
2
Department of Life Sciences, Health, and Health Professions, Link Campus University, 00165 Rome, Italy
3
Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
4
Department of Humanities, Movement and Education Sciences, University Niccolò Cusano, 00166 Rome, Italy
5
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
‡
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 1468; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111468
Submission received: 15 September 2025 / Revised: 18 October 2025 / Accepted: 24 October 2025 / Published: 28 October 2025
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Abstract

Background: The transition to university represents a crucial period for the consolidation of health-related behaviors that may persist into adulthood. Examining gender and field-of-study differences can help identify factors shaping students’ well-being and lifestyle habits. Methods: This study assessed lifestyle behaviors and psychological well-being in 202 university students (125 females, 77 males; mean age = 19.76 ± 2.40) including 157 medical and 45 non-medical students. At the beginning and end of the academic year, participants completed questionnaires assessing diet (MEDAS), physical activity (IPAQ, VEQ-I), and psychological well-being (PSS-10, WHO-5, PGWB-S). Results: Males showed higher BMI, greater volitional resources supporting goal-directed behavior (VEQ-VF), and psychological well-being, while females reported greater stress (PSS-10) and lower volition (p < 0.05). Non-medical students scored higher on the WHO-5 (p = 0.041). Males and non-medical students were more frequently in the high IPAQ category (p < 0.01). Physical activity correlated positively with volition and well-being and negatively with stress. Conclusions: These results suggest that volitional resources support adaptive behaviors and are linked to both physical activity and psychological health. Promoting volitional skills, particularly among medical students and females, may enhance well-being and encourage healthier lifestyles during their university years.
Keywords: physical activity; psychological well-being; university lifestyle; Mediterranean diet physical activity; psychological well-being; university lifestyle; Mediterranean diet

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zimatore, G.; Cardinali, L.; Baldari, C.; Minozzi, M.; Bonavolontà, V.; Grimaldi, P.; Guidetti, L.; Ferrari, D.; Gallotta, M.C. Lifestyle, Volition, and Well-Being Among Medical and Non-Medical University Students: A Preliminary Study. Behav. Sci. 2025, 15, 1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111468

AMA Style

Zimatore G, Cardinali L, Baldari C, Minozzi M, Bonavolontà V, Grimaldi P, Guidetti L, Ferrari D, Gallotta MC. Lifestyle, Volition, and Well-Being Among Medical and Non-Medical University Students: A Preliminary Study. Behavioral Sciences. 2025; 15(11):1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111468

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zimatore, Giovanna, Ludovica Cardinali, Carlo Baldari, Manuela Minozzi, Valerio Bonavolontà, Piercesare Grimaldi, Laura Guidetti, Dafne Ferrari, and Maria Chiara Gallotta. 2025. "Lifestyle, Volition, and Well-Being Among Medical and Non-Medical University Students: A Preliminary Study" Behavioral Sciences 15, no. 11: 1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111468

APA Style

Zimatore, G., Cardinali, L., Baldari, C., Minozzi, M., Bonavolontà, V., Grimaldi, P., Guidetti, L., Ferrari, D., & Gallotta, M. C. (2025). Lifestyle, Volition, and Well-Being Among Medical and Non-Medical University Students: A Preliminary Study. Behavioral Sciences, 15(11), 1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15111468

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