Thesis:

The Relationship Between Effective Leadership Style and Students’ Sense of Social Belonging, Considering the Mediating Role of Leisure Time Quality in the Dormitory of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences Students.

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between effective leadership and the sense of social belonging among male students residing in the dormitories of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, emphasizing the mediating role of leisure time quality. In terms of purpose, this was an applied study, and regarding data collection, it was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population consisted of all male students living in the university's dormitories during the 2025–2026 academic year, totaling 500 individuals. Based on the Krejcie and Morgan table, a sample size of 341 was determined and selected using stratified sampling. Data collection instruments included the Effective Leadership Questionnaire (Kerr et al.), the Leisure Time Quality Questionnaire, and the Social Belonging Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients, and structural equation modeling (SEM) via SPSS and AMOS software. The bootstrapping method was employed to examine direct and indirect effects. The results revealed a positive and significant relationship between effective leadership and leisure time quality (r = 0.505, p < 0.001). A positive and significant relationship was also observed between effective leadership and the sense of social belonging (r = 0.469, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a positive and significant relationship existed between leisure time quality and the sense of social belonging (r = 0.443, p < 0.001). Structural equation modeling results indicated a direct relationship between effective leadership and leisure quality (? = 0.505), a positive and direct relationship between effective leadership and social belonging (? = 0.330), and a positive and direct relationship between leisure quality and social belonging (? = 0.276). Furthermore, the indirect effect of effective leadership on social belonging, mediated by leisure quality, was found to be significant (? = 0.139). Thus, leisure quality plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between effective leadership and social belonging. Based on the research findings, effective leadership can strengthen the sense of social belonging among dormitory students by creating favorable conditions for leisure activities and social interactions. Consequently, improving dormitory management, developing targeted leisure programs, and increasing student social participation can help enhance the quality of dormitory life.

Keywords: Keywords: Effective Leadership, Leisure Quality, Social Belonging, Dormitory Students, Medical Sciences