The impact of negative interpersonal life events on social adaptation of Chinese college students: Mediator effect of self-esteem

Keywords:
Chinese college students, negative interpersonal life events, social adaptation, self-esteem, mediator effect
Abstract

In this study, we investigated the source and impact of negative interpersonal life events confronted by 210 Chinese college students, and discussed the mediator role of self-esteem. We collected data using the Self-Esteem Scale, the Loneliness Scale (LS), the Self-Report Depression Scale, the Social Avoidance Scale, and the Interpersonal Negative Life Events Scale. The results showed that: (1) According to the occurrence rate and the stress index of interpersonal negative life events, the following events ranked in the top three: “having a weak social network”, “reducing or losing contact with good friends”, and “being nervous or silent with unfamiliar people”. (2) Self-esteem partly mediated the impact of negative interpersonal life events on negative emotions such as depression and loneliness, and fully mediated the impact of interpersonal negative life events on social avoidance.

Author Biographies
  1. Wentao Li, Ningbo University
    School of Psychology
  2. Lin Zhang, Ningbo University
    School of Psychology
  3. Binbin Liu, Ningbo University
    Graduate School
  4. Huaying Cao, Ningbo University
    School of Psychology
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Published
2013-01-22
Section
Articles
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