A Study on the Effects of Interpersonal Relationships on Meaning in Life of College Students : Focused on the Mediating Effect of Self-Concept and Self-Worth

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aimed to empirically investigate the structural relationships among interpersonal relationships, self-concept, self-worth, and meaning in life for Chinese College students. To test the hypotheses derived from the research model, a questionnaire survey was conducted among College students from four institutions in Jiangsu Province, China. 807 valid responses were collected and analyzed. The study used structural equation modeling to validate the model's fit and examine relationships among variables. Direct and mediating effects within the hypothesized model were investigated. This approach examined the structural relationships, leading to the following findings. First, interpersonal relationships had a positive impact on the meaning in life of Chinese college students. Second, interpersonal relationships had a positive impact on the self-concept of Chinese college students. Third, self-concept had a positive impact on the meaning in life of Chinese college students. Fourth, interpersonal relationships had a positive impact on the self-worth of Chinese college students. Fifth, self-worth had a positive impact on the meaning in life of Chinese college students. Sixth, self-concept mediated the relationship between interpersonal relationships and meaning in life among Chinese college students. Seventh, self-worth mediated the relationship between interpersonal relationships and meaning in life among Chinese college students. Given the complex factors affecting College students' meaning in life, this study focused on three key variables: interpersonal relationships, self-concept, and self-worth, exploring their mechanisms of influence on College students' meaning in life. By examining the mediating effects of self-concept and self-worth, this study revealed how interpersonal relationships influenced College students' sense of meaning in life through their impact on self-cognition and value assessment. These findings not only enrich the theoretical research on meaning in life but also offer new perspectives for mental health education in higher education institutions. Keywords: Chinese College students, interpersonal relationships, self-concept, self-worth, meaning in life

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. Introduction 1
• 1. Research Background and Necessity1
• 2. Research Purpose 5
• 3. Research Questions 5
• Ⅱ. Theoretical Background 6
• 1. Mental Health among Contemporary College Students in China 6
• 1) Major Mental Health Issues among College Students 6
• 2) Factors Affecting College Students' Mental Health 7
• 3) Effects of Mental Health on College Students' Development9
• 2. Meaning in Life 12
• 1) Concept of Meaning in life12
• 2) Dimensions of Meaning in life13
• 3. Interpersonal Relationships 18
• 1) Concepts of Interpersonal Relationships 18
• 2) Dimensions of Interpersonal Relationships20
• 4. Self-Concept25
• 1) Concept of Self-Concept 25
• 2) Dimensions of Self-Concept 27
• 5. Self-Worth31
• 1) Concept of Self-Worth 31
• 2) Dimensions of Self-Worth 33
• 6. Relationships Between the Research Variables37
• 1) Interpersonal Relationships and Meaning in Life37
• 2) Interpersonal Relationships and Self-Concept39
• 3) Self-Concept and Meaning in Life 41
• 4) Interpersonal Relationships and Self-Worth42
• 5) Self-Worth and Meaning in Life 44
• Ⅲ. Methods47
• 1. Research Model and Hypothesis 47
• 1) Research Model47
• 2) Research Hypothesis49
• 2. Research Participants 49
• 3. Research Procedure 51
• 4. Research Tools 52
• 1) Meaning in Life52
• 2) Interpersonal Relationships 53
• 3) Self-Concept54
• 4) Self-Worth55
• 5. Data Analysis56
• Ⅳ. Results58
• 1. Basic Statistical Analysis58
• 1) Descriptive Statistics and Normality Verification 58
• 2) Difference Analysis in Demographic Variables59
• 3）Correlation Analysis 65
• 2. Measurement Model Analysis 68
• 1) Confirmatory Factor Analysis 69
• 2) Validity Analysis 71
• 3) Measurement Model Fit73
• 3. Research Hypotheses Analysis 75
• 1) Validation of Research Model Fit75
• 2) Direct Effects 77
• 3) Mediating Effects78
• 4. Adoption of Research Hypotheses 79
• Ⅴ. Conclusion 80
• 1. Research Summary 80
• 2. Discussion and Conclusion 81
• 3. Suggestions and Limitations88
• References 90
• Appendix. Questionnaire 112
• Part I. Basic Information 112
• viii
• Part II. Meaning in Life 113
• Part III. Interpersonal Relationships 114
• Part IV. Self-Concept 116
• Part V. Self-Worth 117
• 국문초록 120