Well-Being And Citizen Insecurity In Argentine Civilian And Military University Students

Numerous research studies reveal that witnessing or being a victim of a crime, or even having a high perception of insecurity, significantly impacts social dynamics and influences the quality of life and social integration of individuals. This study aims to analyze how social well-being varies based on the level of concern about insecurity, perceived risk, and fear of crime among university students from different fields and their commitment to security (both civilians and military personnel). For this purpose, a descriptive, group-difference, non-experimental design study was conducted. The purposive, non-probabilistic sample consisted of 516 Argentinian university students (44% women; 56% men; Age = 23.04; SD = 4.08). Data reveal that, despite low levels of fear of crime, participants perceive a high likelihood of becoming victims of crime in the near future. Furthermore, most participants report having been a direct victim of a crime, with a higher percentage experiencing indirect victimization. While the results show relatively high levels of social well-being, statistically significant differences are observed based on the type of victimization, fear of crime, and perceived risk. Additionally, differential profiles are observed based on whether individuals are civilians or military personnel. It is concluded that, beyond addressing and ideally reducing objective insecurity, it is crucial to deepen the study of subjective insecurity due to its impact on individuals’ quality of life.