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The Influence of Moral Character Attributes on Adolescent Life Satisfaction: the Mediating Role of Responsible Behavior

Author

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  • Zheng Zhou

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Daniel T. L. Shek

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Xiaoqin Zhu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Li Lin

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Abstract

In this pioneering study, we examined the influence of moral character attributes and responsible behavior on adolescent life satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of adolescents’ responsible behavior in the influence of moral character attributes on life satisfaction in 2,474 adolescents in Hong Kong. We used a 25-item measure to assess moral character attributes, a 15-item measure to assess responsible behavior, and the 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale to assess life satisfaction. Factor analyses using confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the factorial validity of the measures of adolescent moral character attributes, responsible behavior, and life satisfaction. Consistent with our hypotheses, moral character attributes positively predicted adolescents’ responsible behavior as well as life satisfaction, and adolescents’ responsible behavior positively predicted life satisfaction. Separate analyses using PROCESS and combined analysis using SEM via Mplus showed that adolescents’ responsible behavior mediated the influence of moral character attributes on adolescent life satisfaction. The present findings highlight the importance of moral character on adolescent well-being and support the positive youth development approach in the field.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng Zhou & Daniel T. L. Shek & Xiaoqin Zhu & Li Lin, 2021. "The Influence of Moral Character Attributes on Adolescent Life Satisfaction: the Mediating Role of Responsible Behavior," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(3), pages 1293-1313, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:14:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s12187-020-09797-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-020-09797-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu Yu & Florence K. Y. Wu & Xiaoqin Zhu & Kevin H. Y. Chan, 2017. "A 4-year Longitudinal Study of Well-being of Chinese University Students in Hong Kong," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(4), pages 867-884, December.
    2. Shannon Suldo & E. Huebner, 2004. "The Role of Life Satisfaction in the Relationship between Authoritative Parenting Dimensions and Adolescent Problem Behavior," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 165-195, April.
    3. Gary Marks & Nicole Fleming, 1999. "Influences and Consequences of Well-being Among Australian Young People: 1980–1995," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(3), pages 301-323, March.
    4. Li Lin & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2019. "Does Service Leadership Education Contribute to Student Well-Being? A Quasi-Experimental Study Based on Hong Kong University Students," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(5), pages 1147-1163, November.
    5. Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu-Yin Liang, 2018. "Psychosocial Factors Influencing Individual Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: a Six-Year Longitudinal Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 561-584, September.
    6. Xiaoqin Zhu & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2020. "The Influence of Adolescent Problem Behaviors on Life Satisfaction: Parent–Child Subsystem Qualities as Mediators," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(5), pages 1767-1789, October.
    7. Karabati, Serdar & Cemalcilar, Zeynep, 2010. "Values, materialism, and well-being: A study with Turkish university students," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 624-633, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hechao Jiang & Daniel T. L. Shek & Moon Y. M. Law, 2021. "Differences between Chinese Adolescent Immigrants and Adolescent Non-Immigrants in Hong Kong: Perceived Psychosocial Attributes, School Environment and Characteristics of Hong Kong Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Stephanie Hess, 2022. "Effects of Inter-Parental Conflict on Children’s Social Well-Being and the Mediation Role of Parenting Behavior," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(4), pages 2059-2085, August.

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