The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach
IntroductionThis study explores the relationships among gratitude, perceived social support, prosocial tendencies, and psychological well-being (PWB) in Chinese university students. Despite growing interest in these constructs, the mechanisms through which gratitude and social support influence PWB...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1510543/full |
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| author | Xu Man Zhang Jing |
| author_facet | Xu Man Zhang Jing |
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| description | IntroductionThis study explores the relationships among gratitude, perceived social support, prosocial tendencies, and psychological well-being (PWB) in Chinese university students. Despite growing interest in these constructs, the mechanisms through which gratitude and social support influence PWB remain underexplored, particularly in collectivist cultural contexts where social harmony and interdependence are prioritized.MethodsData were collected from 703 Chinese university students using validated instruments measuring gratitude, perceived social support, prosocial tendencies, and psychological well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the direct and indirect effects of gratitude and social support on PWB, with prosocial tendencies modeled as a mediating higher-order factor. Multi-group SEM analysis was conducted to examine gender invariance.ResultsGratitude and perceived social support significantly predicted PWB, both directly and indirectly through prosocial tendencies. Gratitude had a strong positive effect on prosocial tendencies (β = 0.412, p < 0.001), which, in turn, significantly contributed to PWB (β = 0.465, p < 0.001). Similarly, perceived social support positively influenced prosocial tendencies (β = 0.375, p < 0.001) and PWB (β = 0.253, p < 0.05). Mediation analysis confirmed that prosocial tendencies partially mediated these relationships. Multi-group SEM analysis revealed structural invariance across gender.DiscussionThe findings underscore the cultural relevance of gratitude and social support within Chinese society, emphasizing the role of collectivist values in fostering PWB. Practical implications include implementing gratitude-focused interventions and enhancing peer support systems within university mental health programs to promote resilience and well-being among students. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1abbb09c865474d83c56f58dddcdf1f2025-01-29T06:45:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-01-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15105431510543The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approachXu Man0Zhang Jing1School of General Courses, Jiangsu Medical College, Jiangsu, Yancheng, ChinaBaoding Vocational and Technical College, Baoding, ChinaIntroductionThis study explores the relationships among gratitude, perceived social support, prosocial tendencies, and psychological well-being (PWB) in Chinese university students. Despite growing interest in these constructs, the mechanisms through which gratitude and social support influence PWB remain underexplored, particularly in collectivist cultural contexts where social harmony and interdependence are prioritized.MethodsData were collected from 703 Chinese university students using validated instruments measuring gratitude, perceived social support, prosocial tendencies, and psychological well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the direct and indirect effects of gratitude and social support on PWB, with prosocial tendencies modeled as a mediating higher-order factor. Multi-group SEM analysis was conducted to examine gender invariance.ResultsGratitude and perceived social support significantly predicted PWB, both directly and indirectly through prosocial tendencies. Gratitude had a strong positive effect on prosocial tendencies (β = 0.412, p < 0.001), which, in turn, significantly contributed to PWB (β = 0.465, p < 0.001). Similarly, perceived social support positively influenced prosocial tendencies (β = 0.375, p < 0.001) and PWB (β = 0.253, p < 0.05). Mediation analysis confirmed that prosocial tendencies partially mediated these relationships. Multi-group SEM analysis revealed structural invariance across gender.DiscussionThe findings underscore the cultural relevance of gratitude and social support within Chinese society, emphasizing the role of collectivist values in fostering PWB. Practical implications include implementing gratitude-focused interventions and enhancing peer support systems within university mental health programs to promote resilience and well-being among students.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1510543/fullgratitudeperceived social supportprosocial tendenciespsychological well-beingstructural equation modelinguniversity students |
| spellingShingle | Xu Man Zhang Jing The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach Frontiers in Psychology gratitude perceived social support prosocial tendencies psychological well-being structural equation modeling university students |
| title | The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach |
| title_full | The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach |
| title_fullStr | The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach |
| title_short | The role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude, perceived social support, and psychological well-being among Chinese university students: a structural equation modeling approach |
| title_sort | role of prosocial tendencies in the relationships between gratitude perceived social support and psychological well being among chinese university students a structural equation modeling approach |
| topic | gratitude perceived social support prosocial tendencies psychological well-being structural equation modeling university students |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1510543/full |
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