scholarly journals The belief in meritocracy predict well-being of low status college students when perceiving discrimination?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Xinting Zhao

Students in Chinese universities from lower social or economic classes may be at risk of peer discrimination with negative physical and psychological effects; they may experience poor academic, social and career outcomes. Resources for supportive counseling are unlikely; therefore, self-coping skills are essential. Student participant survey data from three Chinese universities were used to evaluate whether meritocracy belief, a coping mechanism deeply rooted in Chinese culture, protects the self-esteem, health, and school connectedness of students at risk. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to examine meritocracy beliefs of students from high or low status. Comparison groups of students, high socioeconomic status (SES) vs. low SES, urban vs. rural, and male vs. female were examined regarding factors relevant to discrimination. Students with high or low levels of meritocracy belief were compared for differences in self-esteem, school belongings, perception of control and victim blame. Overall a belief in meritocracy was found to support students' self-esteem and sense of school belonging for both high- and low- status students. Perception of control was a mediator. Limitations and implications for practice and future research are discussed.

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Gallagher

In identity theory, inconsistencies between self-views and perceptions of others’ views of self (identity discrepancies) are considered stressors that can compromise well-being. The particular outcome(s) affected by a given identity discrepancy may depend upon the type of identity being considered. Using telephone survey data ( n = 501) from a national probability sample of adults in the United States and structural equation modeling techniques, the author compares the impact of discrepancies in obligatory and voluntary identities on two components of self-evaluation (self-esteem and self-efficacy) and three types of psychological distress (depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms). Results confirm that discrepancies associated with obligatory and voluntary identities differentially affect these outcomes. Obligatory identity discrepancies have a direct association with somatic symptoms, whereas voluntary identity discrepancies are indirectly related to depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms through self-esteem. Implications of these findings for identity and mental health research, directions for future research, and study limitations are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-185
Author(s):  
Daniela Moza ◽  
Laurențiu Maricuțoiu ◽  
Alin Gavreliuc

Abstract. Previous research established that an independent construal of the self is associated with higher self-esteem, which, in turn, is associated with increased happiness. Regarding the directionality of these relationships, theoretical arguments have suggested that self-construal precedes self-esteem and that self-esteem precedes happiness. However, most research in this area is cross-sectional, thus limiting any conclusions about directionality. The present study tested these relationships in 101 Romanian undergraduates using a 3-wave cross-lagged design with a 6-month time lag between every two waves. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed that self-esteem is an antecedent of both happiness and dimensions of independent self-construal (i.e., consistency vs. variability and self-expression vs. harmony). In other words, one’s positive evaluation of self-worth precedes one’s self-perception as being a happy and independent person. The findings are discussed with respect to the theoretical and practical implications, along with limitations and suggestions for future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Ranzini ◽  
Christoph Lutz

The emergence of location-based real-time dating (LBRTD) apps such as Tinder has introduced a new way for users to get to know potential partners nearby. The design of the apps represents a departure from “old-school” dating sites as it relies on the affordances of mobile media. This might change the way individuals portray themselves as their authentic or deceptive self. Based on survey data collected via Mechanical Turk and using structural equation modeling, we assess how Tinder users present themselves, exploring at the same time the impact of their personality characteristics, their demographics, and their motives of use. We find that self-esteem is the most important psychological predictor, fostering real self-presentation but decreasing deceptive self-presentation. The motives of use—hooking up/sex, friendship, relationship, traveling, self-validation, and entertainment—also affect the two forms of self-presentation. Demographic characteristics and psychological antecedents influence the motives for using Tinder, with gender differences being especially pronounced. Women use Tinder more for friendship and self-validation, while men use it more for hooking up/sex, traveling, and relationship seeking. We put the findings into context, discuss the limitations of our approach and provide avenues for future research into the topic.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung In Lim ◽  
Jason Yu ◽  
Young Woo Sohn

Many studies demonstrate that finding meaning in life reduces stress and promotes physical and psychological well-being. However, extant literature focuses on meaning in life among the general population (e.g., college students or office workers) in their daily lives. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of how individuals living in life-threatening and stressful situations obtain meaning in life, by investigating the mediating roles of leisure crafting and gratitude. A total of 465 Army soldiers from the Republic of Korea (ROK) participated in two-wave surveys with a 2-week interval. Structural equation modeling analyses indicated that the direct effects between the search for meaning, presence of meaning, leisure crafting, and gratitude were significant, except for the direct relationship between the search for meaning and the presence of meaning, and between leisure crafting and the presence of meaning. We tested indirect effects using a Monte Carlo approach and found that leisure crafting and gratitude sequentially mediated the relationship between the search for meaning and the presence of meaning. Our findings highlight the importance of the motivation behind searching for meaning, the proactive use of leisure time, and gratitude for individuals in stressful situations and controlled lifestyles. Finally, we discuss the implications and limitations of this research and future research directions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Nikki L. Hill ◽  
Sakshi Bhargava ◽  
Emily Bratlee-Whitaker ◽  
Jennifer R. Turner ◽  
Monique J. Brown ◽  
...  

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early indicator of cognitive impairment, but depressive symptoms can confound this relationship. Associations may be influenced by differences between individuals (i.e., between-persons) or how each individual changes in their experiences over time (i.e., within-persons). Objective: We examined depressive symptoms as a mediator of the between- and within-person associations of SCD and objective memory in older adults. Methods: Coordinated analyses were conducted across four datasets drawn from large longitudinal studies. Samples (range: n = 1,889 to n = 15,841) included participants 65 years of age or older with no dementia at baseline. We used multilevel structural equation modeling to examine the mediation of SCD and objective memory through depressive symptoms, as well as direct relationships among SCD, objective memory, and depressive symptoms. Results: Older adults who were more likely to report SCD had lower objective memory on average (between-person associations), and depressive symptoms partially mediated this relationship in three of four datasets. However, changes in depressive symptoms did not mediate the relationship between reports of SCD and declines in objective memory in three of four datasets (within-person associations). Conclusion: Individual differences in depressive symptoms, and not changes in an individual’s depressive symptoms over time, partially explain the link between SCD and objective memory. Older adults with SCD and depressive symptoms may be at greater risk for poor cognitive outcomes. Future research should explore how perceived changes in memory affect other aspects of psychological well-being, and how these relationships influence cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease risk.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1201-1214
Author(s):  
Tianqiong Xia ◽  
Yifu Wang ◽  
Qiyi Lin

We evaluated the level of adaptation of city newcomers (CNs) to urban life in China, and their personal well-being, and explored the mediating effect of social support on the relationship between these variables. We used a 2-stage sampling method to recruit 314 participants who completed the Adaptation to Urban Life Scale, Social Support Scale, and Personal Well-Being Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to test full and partial mediation effects. Findings showed that there was a significant correlation between the extent of CNs’ positive adaptation to urban life and their personal well-being. In addition, social support was beneficial for CNs’ personal well-being, and partially mediated the relationship between CNs’ adaptation to urban life and personal well-being. In addition, the adaptation to urban life dimensions of employment prospects, living conditions, and urban environment predicted CNs’ personal well-being. Implications of the findings are discussed, along with directions for future research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1451-1473
Author(s):  
Siew Imm Ng ◽  
Fang Zhao ◽  
Xin-Jean Lim ◽  
Norazlyn Kamal Basha ◽  
Murali Sambasivan

Purpose The well-being of the elderly is a growing issue of concern for countries around the world. One way to enhance the elderly well-being is to provide housing options suitable to their needs and lifestyle. Retirement village is an accommodation concept foreign to the Malaysian population. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to bridge this literature gap by analyzing factors that may inhibit or motivate the buying intention of a retirement village unit among the elderly in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 261 Malaysian elderly and analyzed using structural equation modeling PLS. Findings The results indicated that attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control and social sustainability were significant predictors that explained elderly buying intention of retirement village. Originality/value The study also found a significant moderating role of religion in attitude–intention relationship. The paper concludes with the study’s implications, limitations and recommendations for future research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
Ching-Fu Chen ◽  
Shu-Chuan Chen ◽  
Pei-Shan Tsai

Job passion has recently gained increasing attention, as it is crucial to employee well-being and performance. To simultaneously highlight the current trends with regard to environmental issues and organizational psychology, this article investigates the potential antecedents (i.e. environmental stewardship orientation (ESO) and job autonomy) and consequences (i.e. job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and intention to leave) of harmonious job passion among employees working in green restaurants in Taiwan. Data collected from 299 valid samples were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that employees’ ESO and perceived job autonomy positively affect their harmonious job passion. Besides, employees with harmonious job passion may have positive job- and life-related outcomes, including high job and life satisfaction, and low intention to leave. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed, and directions for future research are identified.


2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Adie ◽  
Joan L. Duda ◽  
Nikos Ntoumanis

Grounded in the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework (Elliot & McGregor, 2001), a model was tested examining the hypothesized relationships between approach and avoidance (mastery and performance) goals, challenge and threat appraisals of sport competition, and positive and negative indices of well-being (i.e., self-esteem, positive, and negative affect). A further aim was to determine the degree to which the cognitive appraisals mediated the relationship between the four achievement goals and the indicators of athletes’ welfare. Finally, measurement and structural invariance was tested with respect to gender in the hypothesized model. An alternative model was also estimated specifying self-esteem as an antecedent of the four goals and cognitive appraisals. Four hundred and twenty-four team sport participants (Mage = 24.25) responded to a multisection questionnaire. Structural equation modeling analyses provided support for the hypothesized model only. Challenge and threat appraisals partially mediated the relationships observed between mastery-based goals and the well-being indicators. Lastly, the hypothesized model was found to be invariant across gender.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Khairil Anwar ◽  
Abdul Mujib

The predominance and use of social media for sacred and secular purposes have made it imperative to understand the role of social media in people’s religious motives and life. Therefore, grounded in gratification theory, the current study examines the impact of social media usage intensity, social media usage frequency, and religious appreciation in developing and strengthening different motives, i.e., ministering, spiritual enlightenment, religious information, relaxing entertainment, and well-being, among the followers of social media pages/accounts/sites for faith-based content. Following a quantitative research methodology, data were collected from the 562 followers of social media, i.e., Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in SmartPLS3 software. The results revealed that social media usage intensity and frequency positively influenced all five motives of individuals with a higher impact on individuals’ motive of gaining religious information followed by spiritual enlightenment and well-being. Likewise, religious appreciation positively impacted all five motives of individuals to assess the faith-based content on social media pages/accounts/sites. However, the intensity of the impact varied from well-being, relaxing entertainment, ministering, religious information to spiritual enlightenment from the highest to lowest level, respectively. Moreover, the unique concept, theoretical and practical implications, and future research insights of the study are major advances to literature in the field.


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