Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• islam karami ¹
• Sara Dadpour ²
• Pedram Radfar ³

¹ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood Uni. of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.

² Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood Uni. of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

³ M.Sc. student, Faculty of Architectural Engineering and Urbanism, Shahrood Uni. of Technology, Shahrood, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction
The role of living environments and the perception of their quality in the audience's mentality is one factor that influences social isolation. In the meantime, paying attention to the quality of the physical environment of student dormitories as one of the collective spaces where students are present far away from their families will positively and constructively affect the social future of the communities and the students' academic progress. Therefore, the question of the present research is, what effect do the perceived qualities of the dormitory environment have on the feeling of social isolation of the resident students? The review of the research background reveals that although social isolation and its dimensions have been analyzed in line with the individual and social variables of dormitory students in different scientific fields, the relationship between social isolation and the perception of the physical environment qualities of dormitories has been less investigated. Social isolation means the reduction of relationships and social capital and is the product of environments where human social characteristics and interaction platforms are ignored.
Research method
In the current study, the postpositivist paradigm and quantitative strategy have been used. Data was gathered by distributing a questionnaire in the Shahrood University of Technology dormitory. In the first step, by using the qualitative content analysis of the relevant literature, 20 questions were extracted in six criteria for two independent variables of the perceived environment, including the physical-semantic environment and the physical-functional environment. Demographic questions were also added to the questionnaire. In the second step, the standard social isolation questionnaire (dependent variable) was added to the mentioned questionnaire. This questionnaire has 19 questions and four criteria of social loneliness, helplessness, social disappointment, and reduced social tolerance based on the five-point Likert scale, it measures social isolation with questions such as (I am unable to communicate with those outside). According to Morgan's table, 241 questionnaires have been filled out by students. Cluster sampling was used to utilize the views of students in different fields of study. Structural equation modeling and SPSS26 and Smart PLS4 software were used for data analysis. At first, the data were screened, and indifferent samples, outliers, and missing data were managed.
Results and discussion
The age abundance of students was 21 to 25 years old. Factor loadings were calculated to check the homogeneity of external model indicators. Model reliability was measured by McDonald's omega tests, composite reliability (rho_a), and composite reliability (rho_c). The AVE for each construct was above 0.5 and the composite reliability (rho_c) for each construct was greater than its AVE. Therefore, the conditions of convergent validity were established. We also checked the criteria of cross-factor loadings and the Fornell and Larcker matrix and there was no problem in them. In addition, all of the HTMT coefficients were below 0.9. Therefore, the divergent validity of the model was confirmed. The structural model was evaluated by tests of non-collinearity between the exogenous variables (VIF below 5), the R square of the model (0.14), and the effect size of the exogenous variables (0.01, 0.07). After that, the quality of the model prediction value was obtained as 0.11. The H1 hypothesis based on the effect of the physical-semantic environment on isolation was not significant at the 95% confidence level, while the H2 hypothesis based on the effect of the physical-functional environment on isolation at the 99% confidence level was significant. Then, the moderating role of age, field of study, and level of education variables on the relationship between environmental variables and social isolation were examined through multigroup analysis (MGA), and their moderating role in the model was not confirmed.
Conclusion
The present research has investigated the effect of environmental qualities on students' social isolation in the Shahrood University of Technology dormitory case study. The effect of the quality of the physical-functional environment (safety, vitality, and security) on social isolation was confirmed. However, the effect of the quality of the physical-semantic environment (aesthetics, identity, and sensory richness) on social isolation was rejected. Examining different types of dormitories, the effects of gender, different climates, and various cultures, using longitudinal research methods, and using mixed methods can be the basis for new research. To improve the social quality of student dormitories, It is necessary to increase leisure opportunities in public spaces while paying attention to personal privacy, such as designing various furniture arrangements with the ability to be used collectively and individually.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• social isolation
• collegians student dormitory
• space quality
• shahrood university of technology
• social interrelation

Main Subjects

• Architecture and Urban Design