Prediction of Chinese life satisfaction: Contribution of collective self‐esteem

The Association Between Perceived Risk of COVID-19, Psychological Distress, and Internet Addiction in College Students: An Application of Stress Process Model

The closed-off management of the university during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be associated with an elevated odds of psychological and behavioral issues among college students. We aimed to use the stress-process model to explore the potential mechanisms for this phenomenon. A total of 924 college students were recruited via posters, peer referrals, and class attendance. Among them, 82 (9%) were probable depression, 190 (20.8%) were probable anxiety, and 69 (7.5%) were internet addiction. Parallel mediation was used to test this theoretical model. For personal resources, the perceived risk of COVID-19 was positively associated with psychological distress via negative coping style (β = 0.051) and internet addiction via negative coping style or self-esteem (β = 0.023 for negative coping style, β = 0.015 for self-esteem). For social resources, the perceived risk of COVID-19 was positively associated with psychological distress and internet addiction via roommate relationships (β = 0.19 for psychological distress, β = 0.046 for internet addiction). Negative coping styles and roommate relationships are possible psychological mechanisms linking the perceived risk of COVID-19, psychological distress, and internet addiction.

Collective self-esteem and perceived stress among the non-infected general public in China during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic: A multiple mediation model

This study aimed to investigate the multiple mediating effects of perceived social support and anxiety between collective self-esteem and perceived stress during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. From February 18 to 25, 2020, 1921 participants aged 18–68 were recruited to complete the questionnaire online. The results showed that collective self-esteem reduced the perceived stress by increasing perceived social support and decreasing anxiety, and their chain mediation path. Our findings identified the important factors in reducing perceived stress and their relationship, which can be used to develop interventions to improve the mental health of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Collective self-esteem (CSE) was negatively related to perceived stress.

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CSE reduced perceived stress by increasing perceived social support.

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CSE reduced perceived stress by decreasing anxiety.

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Perceived social support buffered anxiety, which formed the chain mediation.

Role of rs454214 in Personality mediated Depression and Subjective Well-being

Happiness and depression are interlinked and both heritable, while personality, as an important predictor of them, shares the genetic basis with them. We conjecture that genetic factors of depression can affect both depressive symptoms (DS) and subjective well-being (SWB), while personality traits play important roles in mediating this process. In this study, 878 Han Chinese college freshmen and 384 Han Chinese patients with the major depressive disorder (MDD) were included. SNPs were genotyped using AGENA MassARRAY iPLEX technology and we investigated an important MDD variant rs454214. Correlation, association and mediation analysis were employed, aiming to decipher the complex relationship between SWB, DS, personality traits and the genetic variant. Association study indicated that rs454214 was not only associated with both SWB and DS (P < 0.05), but also possibly linked to MDD. Mediational analysis showed that rs454214 had no direct effect on SWB and DS, but had a significant indirect effect through personality traits, i.e., Extraversion, Neuroticism, Agreeableness and Openness to Experience or SWB, Extraversion, Neuroticism and Agreeableness for DS. This study found a shared genetic basis for happiness and depression; the causal process could be better explained if personality traits are taken as mediating factors.

The Effect of Religious Involvement on Life Satisfaction among Korean Christians: Focused on the Mediating Effect of Spiritual Well-Being and Self-Esteem

The present study examined the relationship between two categories of religious involvement, namely religious belief and religious behavior, and life satisfaction among Korean Christians (N = 278) with spiritual well-being and self-esteem as potential mediators in this relationship by using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results supported the full mediated structural model and indicated that religious belief had a significant indirect effect on life satisfaction through the mediators, spiritual well-being and self-esteem. Religious behavior did not have an indirect or direct effect on life satisfaction among Korean Christians. The significance, implications, and limitations of the study were discussed.

Subjective Social Standing and Conflict Tactics Among Young Kenyan Men

Efforts to reduce intimate partner violence in sub-Saharan Africa generally approach the issue through the lens of women's empowerment. These efforts include foci on women's relative power in the relationship, educational background, and earning potential. The social status of men has largely been ignored, reducing the potential to involve them in efforts to demote intimate partner violence. In this study we consider whether a man's perceived social status predicts conflict tactics, and whether these tactics are mediated by loneliness and collective self-esteem from a community-based sample in semi-rural Kenya (n = 263). We find that men who reported lower perceived social status also reported significantly more frequent violent conflicts with their intimate partners. This association was significantly, and completely, mediated by lower collective self-esteem and higher loneliness. There was no direct association between subjective social status and negotiation-based conflict tactics, although there was an indirect association. Men with higher perceived social status reported higher collective self-esteem, and men with higher collective self-esteem reported more negotiation-based conflict tactics. These findings inform efforts to reduce intimate partner violence by involving men, showing potential to reduce violence by building self-esteem among men-particularly those with lower perceived social status.

Self-esteem and subjective well-being revisited: The roles of personal, relational, and collective self-esteem

Previous studies have shown that self-esteem is an important predictor of subjective well-being. However, the majority of research has focused on self-esteem at the individual and the collective level, but has mostly ignored self-esteem at the relational level. According to social identity theory, individuals can maintain and enhance self-esteem through personal traits (personal self-esteem, PSE), relationships with significant others (relational self-esteem, RSE), and relationships with larger groups (collective self-esteem, CSE). The current research investigated whether RSE and CSE can predict subjective well-being beyond PSE among Chinese college students. With four cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal study (N = 847), we found that, when controlling for PSE, RSE was associated with greater life satisfaction, positive affect, meaning in life, happiness, and subjective vitality (Studies 1–5), but CSE was not (Studies 2–5). Implications are discussed.

Measurement Invariance and the Five-Factor Model of Personality

This study examined measurement invariance of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), assessing the five-factor model (FFM) of personality among Euro American ( N = 290) and Asian international ( N = 301) students (47.8% women, Mage = 19.69 years). The full 60-item NEO-FFI data fit the expected five-factor structure for both groups using exploratory structural equation modeling, and achieved configural invariance. Only 37 items significantly loaded onto the FFM-theorized factors for both groups and demonstrated metric invariance. Threshold invariance was not supported with this reduced item set. Groups differed the most in the item–factor relationships for Extraversion and Agreeableness, as well as in response styles. Asian internationals were more likely to use midpoint responses than Euro Americans. While the FFM can characterize broad nomothetic patterns of personality traits, metric invariance with only the subset of NEO-FFI items identified limits direct group comparisons of correlation coefficients among personality domains and with other constructs, and of mean differences on personality domains.

Examining Anxiety and Depression Comorbidity Among Chinese and European Canadian University Students

Clark and Watson’s tripartite model of comorbidity between anxiety and depression has been well-supported by empirical evidence among European descent samples in North America. Its applicability to Chinese biculturals remains to be challenged due to two Chinese-specific symptom reporting style in somatization and under-endorsement of positive affect. The current study began with an evaluation of a revised Clark and Watson’s tripartite model of comorbidity by adopting a comprehensive assessment of anxiety- and depression-specific component, and by incorporating cognitive aspects of symptomatology. The revised model’s applicability to a Chinese Canadian university sample was then empirically tested, followed by an investigation of the potential impact of cultural experiences on symptomatology. Item response theory (IRT)–informed statistical analyses were applied to each of the 14 anxiety and depression symptom measures that 251 European Canadian and 206 Chinese Canadian university student participants completed to remove items that functioned differentially across samples. Sample-specific exploratory factor analyses identified a two-factor structure (Affective-Somatic and Cognitive) among the Chinese Canadian sample, and a three-factor structure (Mixed, Cognitive, and Autonomic Hyperarousal) among the European Canadian sample. Worry and Autonomic Hyperarousal scales reflected the most between-group structural differences. These results indicated that different cultural groups responded differently to clinical assessment items commonly used in North America, and that applicability of the tripartite model of comorbidity across cultural groups was limited. Symptom factors were found related to specific (i.e., negative acculturative experiences and collective self-esteem) but not to generic indicators of acculturation (i.e., Chinese or Canadian Orientation).

Exploring relationships between facets of self-esteem and drinking behavior among diverse groups of young adults

Theory and empirical evidence suggest that North American-based measures of self-esteem, which measure individualistic positive self-regard, may be less applicable to Eastern cultures. In the present exploratory study, we examined how different conceptualizations of self-esteem, as measured by the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale and the Collective Self-esteem (CSE) Scale, predicted drinking behavior among three groups of American college students (N=326) with varying ethnicities: White, Korean, and Chinese/Taiwanese. Hierarchical negative binomial regression was employed to evaluate these relations. Ethnic identity was controlled for in all analyses. Findings indicated that while global self-esteem was positively associated with drinking for the whole sample, ethnicity moderated this relationship such that global self-esteem was related to drinking for White participants but not for their Chinese/Taiwanese counterparts. In addition, while CSE did not associate with drinking for the whole sample, effects emerged for specific ethnicities. Specifically, private CSE was associated with less drinking for Korean and Chinese/Taiwanese participants. Depending on specific Asian ethnicity, public CSE served as a risk (Korean participants) or a protective factor (Chinese/Taiwanese participants) for drinking. Findings suggest that above and beyond ethnic identity, differential relationships between facets of self-esteem and drinking behavior may exist among White, Korean, and Chinese/Taiwanese young adults. Intervention and prevention programs should develop strategies to help Chinese/Taiwanese and Korean American young adults cultivate protective factors within domains of CSE.

From well-being to positive mental health: conceptualization and qualitative development of an instrument in Singapore

PURPOSE

There is no global definition of well-being. Cultural differences in the perception of well-being and the social and behavioral contexts further limit its measurement. Existing instruments are developed in Western societies that differ in their conceptualization of well-being from Asian populations. Moreover, very few instruments address the multidimensional construct of well-being.

METHODS

Literature was reviewed to develop a priori conceptual framework of mental health and well-being. Concepts were identified based on specific criteria to guide the qualitative investigations. Finally, focus group discussions were conducted among adults belonging to the three major ethnicities in Singapore to identify salient domains of mental health and well-being.

RESULTS

Mental well-being is a multidimensional construct constituting of positive affect, satisfaction, and psychological functioning. While well-being explains the functional and psychological components, positive mental health is a combination of these and the skills required to achieve them. Although there is an overlap between the concepts identified from the literature and those identified in Singapore, certain differences existed, particularly with the relevance attributed to family interactions and religiosity or spirituality. Similar findings were observed across the three ethnic groups.

CONCLUSION

Domains identified can be used to develop a culturally relevant instrument in Singapore.

Chinese older adults' resilience to the loneliness of living alone: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate resilience factors that help Chinese older adults living alone cope with senses of loneliness.

METHOD

Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted on 13 older adults living alone in the community who did not show severe loneliness. Trained research assistants conducted interviews guided by semi-structured interview guidelines. The analysis followed a five-step interpretive approach.

RESULTS

The primary theme of resilience was found in cognitive competence, self and personality, and social relations. The secondary theme of resilience showed a family-oriented, relationship-focused resilience coping, which is in line with Chinese culture.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that family-oriented and relationship-focused resilience at the cognitive, self and personality, and social relations levels played significant roles in helping the Chinese older adults overcome their high risk of loneliness. Developing and maintaining dynamic daily rhythms that can integrate family-oriented and relationship-focused coping strategies at the cognitive and social levels are recommended.

Further Validation of a U.S. Adult Social Self-Efficacy Inventory in Chinese Populations

The authors report further validity evidence for the Chinese version of a U.S. adult social self-efficacy inventory, the “Perceived Social Self-Efficacy” (PSSE) scale in Chinese populations. Study 1 participants were 323 new graduate students enrolled at a large university in an east coast city of the People’s Republic of China. Differential item functioning analysis indicated that the internal structure of the Chinese PSSE scale was invariant over individuals with different levels of respect for authority. Study 2 participants were 204 undergraduate students enrolled at a medium-sized university in the southeast region of China. Chinese PSSE scores were significantly related to scores in the three components of subjective well-being: life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Personal self-esteem and two collective self-esteem dimensions were found to mediate the above relationships.

Intergenerational Support and Life Satisfaction: A Comparison of Chinese, Indonesian, and German Elderly Mothers

The exchange of support between generations is a fundamental feature of intergenerational relationships. Although most studies have concentrated on the impact of social support on the receiver, effects on subjective well-being of the provider of support have been studied less often. Given cultural differences in the norms and values of intergenerational relationships, the present study compared samples from rural and urban China, Indonesia, and Germany. The results showed that in the different cultural contexts elderly mothers’ well-being was differently related to help that they provided to their adult daughters. The results are discussed from a culture-informed perspective on intergenerational relationships.

Validation of a U.S. Adult Social Self-Efficacy Inventory in Chinese Populations 1Ψ7

The authors report a series of efforts to validate a U.S. adult social self-efficacy inventory, the Perceived Social Self-Efficacy scale (PSSE), in Chinese populations. They argue that the construct underlying the PSSE scale constitutes an important component of Chinese adult social self-efficacy, which was confirmed in focus group discussions. The original English PSSE items were back translated into Chinese and were adapted to suit Chinese language and culture. Two validation studies were then conducted with Chinese undergraduate students. Results consistently showed that the Chinese PSSE scale had a single-factor structure, high reliabilities, excellent construct validity, and acceptable criterion validity. Implications for counseling research and practice in Chinese contexts are discussed.

Persuasion and relational versus Personal bases of self-esteem: does the message need to be one- or two-sided?

The link between audience characteristics and persuasion has been examined in extant research but there has not been a focus on message variables. In the present study message sidedness effects are explored in relation to the link between self-esteem and persuasibility. Results indicated that self-esteem does not have a simple, direct effect on persuasibility. Rather, relational and personal bases of self-esteem provide better explanations for the complex relationship between self-esteem and persuasibility. Relational bases of self-esteem, but not general self-esteem, showed a main effect on attitude change. In addition, the two types of bases of self esteem showed an interaction with message sidedness in their effect on persuasibility. Message sidedness, bases of self-esteem, and gender interactions are also explored in explaining susceptibility to persuasion attempts.

Correlates of resilience in the face of adversity for Korean women immigrating to the US

OBJECTIVES

To explore the association between resilience and psychosocial variables of theoretical relevance such as self-esteem, optimism, religiousness, cultural interdependency, and belief in higher education in a population of elderly Korean women and their daughters who experienced great adversity.

METHODS

Surveys were conducted with 200 elderly Korean women and 170 of their daughters in several community locations.

RESULTS

Both mothers and daughters experienced great adversities in their lives such as psychological and physical losses from war as well as current and past difficulties with relocation. The mothers' bivariate correlations indicate that self-esteem, optimism, religiousness, and cultural interdependency were significantly correlated with resilience. Length of time in the US, age entering the US, physical and psychological war-related adversities, current relocation difficulties, self-esteem, optimism, cultural interdependency, and belief in education were all significantly associated with daughters' resilience. In linear regression, self-esteem and optimism were significant predictors of resilience in both mothers and daughters.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-esteem and optimism deserve further attention as psychological factors that may increase the likelihood of developing resilience. Implications of these findings for health professionals are discussed.

Social support and life satisfaction among Hong Kong Chinese older adults: family first?

Family members and friends are important for the psychological well being of older adults. The present study examined the relative contribution of these two sources of support to life satisfaction among Chinese older adults living in Hong Kong. The moderating role of familism, which represents the commitment of family members to the family, was also examined. One hundred and eight Chinese older adults participated in the study. Findings suggest that, in general, family support contributes more to the life satisfaction of older adults than does friend support. While emotional support from family members is beneficial to life satisfaction of older adults regardless of individual differences in familism, instrumental support contributes more to life satisfaction for older adults with higher familism.