18 BACK TO THEMES U NITE STUDENTS | APPLICANT INDEX REPORT | 2023 The overall Wellbeing index score has improved this year. There is cause for optimism, but some areas for action. This year’s cohort fares better on the ONS wellbeing indicators than last year: they are somewhat less anxious, though more than they were in 2021 and before the pandemic. There has also been a rise this year on the ONS wellbeing measure “to what extent do you feel that the things you do in your life are worthwhile”. In addition, this year’s applicants are less likely to feel ashamed or rejected, and more likely to feel loved. However there are some stark demographic differences. Over a third (36%) of LGB+ applicants and half of Trans applicants have a mental health condition. This is reflected in lower Wellbeing theme scores: 58 for LGB+ and 51 for Trans applicants made up of more negative scores across all measures. WELLBEING 63 The Wellbeing score combines two different sets of questions to take a snapshot of the mental wellbeing of the cohort. I feel loved *I feel ashamed *I feel rejected by others I feel capable of making decisions Figure 7: Breakdown of responses to wellbeing theme questions THEMATIC ANALYSIS - WELLBEING 0% 100% 80% 50% 20% 90% 60% 30% 70% 40% 10% ■ Strong disagreement ■ Moderate disagreement ■ Neutral ■ Moderate agreement ■ Strong agreement *For this question, agreement indicates a negative response; the score for this question was reversed when calculating the index score. +1 from 2022