The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

Limited research has explored the connection between stress and value conflicts, particularly the influence of self-construal and self-concept clarity. This study surveyed a sample of 752 Chinese college students using the Depression–Anxiety-Stress Scale, Self-Construal Scale, Self-Concept Clarity S...

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Main Authors: Xiaoxiao Ren, Hao Xu, Tong Yue, Tong Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/104
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author Xiaoxiao Ren
Hao Xu
Tong Yue
Tong Wang
author_facet Xiaoxiao Ren
Hao Xu
Tong Yue
Tong Wang
author_sort Xiaoxiao Ren
collection DOAJ
description Limited research has explored the connection between stress and value conflicts, particularly the influence of self-construal and self-concept clarity. This study surveyed a sample of 752 Chinese college students using the Depression–Anxiety-Stress Scale, Self-Construal Scale, Self-Concept Clarity Scale, and Portrait Values Questionnaire. The findings demonstrated that stress levels among participants were significantly associated with conflicts between self-transcendence and self-enhancement values, but no significant relationship was observed with openness vs. conservation conflicts. Mediation analysis revealed that self-concept clarity partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, moderated mediation analysis showed that the association between value conflict and self-concept clarity was stronger in students with high levels of independent self-construal. These results offer a deeper understanding of how value conflicts contribute to stress, highlighting potential pathways for targeted mental health interventions. Future studies should address the limitations of the current research and explore these relationships in more diverse contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-3d3fe1bd799744ba971c7bf36c6d36512025-08-20T02:44:55ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-01-0115210410.3390/bs15020104The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation ModelXiaoxiao Ren0Hao Xu1Tong Yue2Tong Wang3School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, ChinaPreschool Education Department, Chongqing Preschool Education College, Chongqing 404047, ChinaFaculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, ChinaSchool of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, ChinaLimited research has explored the connection between stress and value conflicts, particularly the influence of self-construal and self-concept clarity. This study surveyed a sample of 752 Chinese college students using the Depression–Anxiety-Stress Scale, Self-Construal Scale, Self-Concept Clarity Scale, and Portrait Values Questionnaire. The findings demonstrated that stress levels among participants were significantly associated with conflicts between self-transcendence and self-enhancement values, but no significant relationship was observed with openness vs. conservation conflicts. Mediation analysis revealed that self-concept clarity partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, moderated mediation analysis showed that the association between value conflict and self-concept clarity was stronger in students with high levels of independent self-construal. These results offer a deeper understanding of how value conflicts contribute to stress, highlighting potential pathways for targeted mental health interventions. Future studies should address the limitations of the current research and explore these relationships in more diverse contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/104value conflictsself-concept claritystressmental healthChinese college studentsSchwartz’s value theory
spellingShingle Xiaoxiao Ren
Hao Xu
Tong Yue
Tong Wang
The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model
Behavioral Sciences
value conflicts
self-concept clarity
stress
mental health
Chinese college students
Schwartz’s value theory
title The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model
title_full The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model
title_fullStr The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model
title_short The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model
title_sort effects of value conflicts on stress in chinese college students a moderated mediation model
topic value conflicts
self-concept clarity
stress
mental health
Chinese college students
Schwartz’s value theory
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/2/104
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