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Association Between The Search For Meaning In Life And Well-Being In Chinese Adolescents

Author

Listed:
  • Li Lin

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Song Wang

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
    West China Hospital of Sichuan University)

  • Jingguang Li

    (Dali University)

Abstract

Theories suggest that having a meaningful life has beneficial effects on adolescent well-being. Encouraging adolescents to search for meaning in their lives is therefore well advised. However, whether and how the search for meaning in life (SMIL) is related to adolescent well-being is unclear. Thus, this study tested the following two hypotheses, based on a sample of 1539 Chinese adolescents in the tenth grade (Mage = 15.8 years): 1) the SMIL promotes adolescent well-being (“SMIL-as-promotor”), and 2) social connectedness mediates the link between the SMIL and adolescent well-being (“connectedness-as-mediator”). Multiple regression analyses revealed that SMIL was positively associated with life satisfaction, self-esteem and positive affect, and negatively associated with negative affect in the adolescents who exhibited low levels of presence of meaning; thus supporting the SMIL-as-promotor hypothesis. Mediation analyses revealed that SMIL was related to social connectedness (i.e., parent-child communication and peer relationship), which, in turn, was linked to the presence of meaning and hedonic well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, self-esteem, positive affect, and negative affect). These findings support the connectedness-as-mediator hypothesis. The implications of these findings for youth prevention programs and intervention services are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Lin & Song Wang & Jingguang Li, 2021. "Association Between The Search For Meaning In Life And Well-Being In Chinese Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2291-2309, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:16:y:2021:i:6:d:10.1007_s11482-021-09913-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-021-09913-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Feng Kong & Ke Ding & Jingjing Zhao, 2015. "The Relationships Among Gratitude, Self-esteem, Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Undergraduate Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 477-489, April.
    2. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2010. "Life Satisfaction, Positive Youth Development, and Problem Behaviour Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 95(3), pages 455-474, February.
    3. Zhu, Xiaoqin & Shek, Daniel T.L., 2020. "Impact of a positive youth development program on junior high school students in mainland China: A pioneer study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    4. To, Siu-ming, 2016. "Loneliness, the search for meaning, and the psychological well-being of economically disadvantaged Chinese adolescents living in Hong Kong: Implications for life skills development programs," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 52-60.
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    1. Li Lin & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "Meaning-in-Life Profiles among Chinese Late Adolescents: Associations with Readiness for Political Participation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Sun, Peizhen & Yang, Zishuo & Jiang, Hongyan & Chen, Wen & Xu, Meng, 2023. "Filial piety and meaning in life among late adolescents: A moderated mediation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    3. Chih Nuo Grace Chao & Alan Chi-Keung Cheung & Elaine Lau & Angel Nga Man Leung, 2023. "Teachers’ Perceptions on Quality of School Leadership and Psychological Well-Being: The Mediating Roles of Work-Related Meaning in Life and Optimism in Hong Kong Kindergarten Teachers," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 1249-1268, June.
    4. Ying Cai & Tuo Zeng & Ruixiang Gao & Yongxing Guo & Ya Wang & Daoqun Ding, 2024. "A Cross-lagged Longitudinal Study of Bidirectional Associations between Meaning in Life and Academic Engagement: The Mediation of Hope," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(5), pages 2665-2684, October.

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