Impact of Living Arrangements on Burnout, Loneliness and Substance Use among Kazakhstan University Students

Kazakhstan is a large Central Asian country of the former Soviet republic with a population of 19 million, the majority being Muslim with moderate religious practices. Despite considerable economic growth, most university students remain pressed to address higher education and living costs. This cross-sectional study of 2,065 students examined living conditions and its association with burnout, loneliness and substance use. Female students, and those using harmful substances, were more likely to report burnout and loneliness. Gender status did not differentiate student substance use. However, students who live on or off campus evidence more substance use including alcohol binge drinking. Regardless of gender status and living conditions, religious students reported less substance use. Study findings contribute to usable information for promoting university student psychological well-being through policy and prevention practices associated with substance use over time and across locations in the country.