A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools
IntroductionThis mixed-methods study explored how social networks influence academic self-efficacy and life satisfaction among rural Chinese high school students.MethodsThe study involved 454 students in the quantitative phase, utilizing the Social Network Index (SNI), Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1501328/full |
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| author | Ping Zhu Tingting Wang |
| author_facet | Ping Zhu Tingting Wang |
| author_sort | Ping Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThis mixed-methods study explored how social networks influence academic self-efficacy and life satisfaction among rural Chinese high school students.MethodsThe study involved 454 students in the quantitative phase, utilizing the Social Network Index (SNI), Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The qualitative phase included interviews with 28 students.ResultsQuantitative results revealed that network centrality (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and density (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) positively correlated with academic self-efficacy. Network centrality (r = 0.20, p < 0.001) and network size (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with life satisfaction. Females exhibited higher academic self-efficacy than males [t(452) = 3.52, p < 0.001], and network density increased with grade level [F(2, 451) = 6.78, p = 0.001]. Qualitative themes highlighted supportive friendships as empowering, competitive pressures within dense networks as both motivating and stressful, and broader networks (including family) as vital for well-being.DiscussionThese findings emphasize the dual role of social networks in fostering academic confidence and life satisfaction while also introducing competitive stressors. This is particularly relevant in rural contexts where family support is crucial. Implications include the need to promote supportive peer relationships and mitigate the negative effects of competition. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7e2071f6b87344cf960cf73a8ec1bbc9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e2071f6b87344cf960cf73a8ec1bbc92025-08-20T03:30:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15013281501328A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schoolsPing Zhu0Tingting Wang1Graduate School of Education, Daejin University, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaWeifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang, Shandong, ChinaIntroductionThis mixed-methods study explored how social networks influence academic self-efficacy and life satisfaction among rural Chinese high school students.MethodsThe study involved 454 students in the quantitative phase, utilizing the Social Network Index (SNI), Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The qualitative phase included interviews with 28 students.ResultsQuantitative results revealed that network centrality (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) and density (r = 0.28, p < 0.001) positively correlated with academic self-efficacy. Network centrality (r = 0.20, p < 0.001) and network size (r = 0.22, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with life satisfaction. Females exhibited higher academic self-efficacy than males [t(452) = 3.52, p < 0.001], and network density increased with grade level [F(2, 451) = 6.78, p = 0.001]. Qualitative themes highlighted supportive friendships as empowering, competitive pressures within dense networks as both motivating and stressful, and broader networks (including family) as vital for well-being.DiscussionThese findings emphasize the dual role of social networks in fostering academic confidence and life satisfaction while also introducing competitive stressors. This is particularly relevant in rural contexts where family support is crucial. Implications include the need to promote supportive peer relationships and mitigate the negative effects of competition.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1501328/fullsocial capitalacademic self-efficacylife satisfactionsocial networksrural studentsnarrative inquiry |
| spellingShingle | Ping Zhu Tingting Wang A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools Frontiers in Psychology social capital academic self-efficacy life satisfaction social networks rural students narrative inquiry |
| title | A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools |
| title_full | A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools |
| title_fullStr | A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools |
| title_full_unstemmed | A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools |
| title_short | A mixed-methods exploration of social networks, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction in rural Chinese high schools |
| title_sort | mixed methods exploration of social networks self efficacy and life satisfaction in rural chinese high schools |
| topic | social capital academic self-efficacy life satisfaction social networks rural students narrative inquiry |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1501328/full |
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