Archives of

Background & Aims of the Study:Given the importance of mental health issues
of students and the role of social capital in promoting mental health and improving
academic performance, this study was designed to evaluate the mental health
status of students of Islamic Azad University, Khalkhal Branch and its relationship
with social capital.
Materials & Methods:This descriptive-analytical study eas conducted on 435
the Islamic Azad University students, Khalkhal Branch at first half of the
academic year 2013-14 Data were collected using Demographic, Mental Health
and Social Capital questionnaires and then analyzed using SPSS software version
21, correlation test, chi-square and t-test.
Results: Results showed that 72.5 percent of students participating in the study
suspected to have mental disorders .Males had better mental health. There was no
significant correlation between mental health score, financial status, age and
residency status (P> 0.05). There was a significant relationship between mental
health and all areas of social capital except the area of business communications.
Conclusions: Due to the unique conditions of students and findings of the study
based on the positive effect of increased social capital on the improvement of
mental health, much attention and effort should be paid by authorities to provide
appropriate infrastructures to develop social capital in higher educational system
and create opportunities for social interaction both in individual and group interactions.