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Loneliness and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Undergraduates: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy

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  • Yidong Tu
  • Shuxia Zhang

Abstract

Previous studies have shown a negative relationship between loneliness and one’s subjective well-being. However, it has not been fully examined within the Chinese context which highlights the importance of social relationship and interpersonal harmony for one’s life, and the mechanism between them has not been thoroughly explored. Based on social cognitive theory, this study examined the main effects of loneliness on individuals’ stress, depression, and life satisfaction, as well as the mediating effect of self-efficacy between them. Survey data were obtained from 444 Chinese undergraduates. The results of multiple regressions revealed that loneliness was negatively correlated with life satisfaction and positively correlated with stress and depression. Moreover, self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between loneliness and stress, as well as depression, and fully mediated the relationship between loneliness and life satisfaction. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Yidong Tu & Shuxia Zhang, 2015. "Loneliness and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Undergraduates: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 124(3), pages 963-980, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:124:y:2015:i:3:p:963-980
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-014-0809-1
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    2. Chen, Jiahui & Wang, Quanquan & Liang, Yiting & Chen, Baitao & Ren, Ping, 2023. "Comorbidity of loneliness and social anxiety in adolescents: Bridge symptoms and peer relationships," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    3. Conghui Liu & Ying Cheng & Anna S C Hsu & Chuansheng Chen & Jie Liu & Guoliang Yu, 2018. "Optimism and self-efficacy mediate the association between shyness and subjective well-being among Chinese working adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(4), pages 1-10, April.
    4. Khadija Shams & Alexander Kadow, 2023. "Subjective Well-Being, Health and Socio-Demographic Factors Related to COVID-19 Vaccination: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Sample Survey Study from 2021–2022 in Urban Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-11, August.
    5. Shuxia Zhang & Yidong Tu, 2018. "Cross-Domain Effects of Ethical Leadership on Employee Family and Life Satisfaction: the Moderating Role of Family-Supportive Supervisor Behaviors," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(4), pages 1085-1097, November.

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