Research on University Students’ Self-concept Clarity and Meaning in Life

Xiaoyan Yu

doi:10.54097/n36ds353

Authors

Xiaoyan Yu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/n36ds353

Keywords:

Self-concept clarity, meaning in life, cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

This study explored the predictive effect of self-concept clarity (SCC) on meaning in life (MIL) among university students and examined the potential influence of demographic variables. A cross-sectional design was used to survey 150 Chinese college students (35% male; 57% humanities and social sciences majors). Data were collected using the Chinese Self-concept Clarity Scale and the Chinese Meaning in Life Scale. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis revealed a robust positive correlation between SCC and MIL (r = 0.680, p < 0.01), and demographic variables (gender and major) had no significant effect on SCC and MIL. The results showed that SCC was a significant predictor of MIL (β = 0.684, p < 0.001). This study provides a theoretical basis for mental health education in universities. The findings show a strong relationship between university students' pursuit and experience of life and how clear their self-concept is, suggesting that SCC is a key predictor of MIL. The results show that there is no substantial correlation between MIL and SCC and demographic factors, particularly gender and major.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Frankl VE. Man's search for meaning: An introduction to logotherapy. New York: Washington Square Press, 1963.

[2] King, L. A., & Hicks, J. A. The science of meaning in life. Annual Review of Psychology, 2021, 72 (1), 561 - 584.

[3] Steger, M. F., Oishi, S., & Kashdan, T. B. Meaning in life across the life span: Levels and correlates of meaning in life from emerging adulthood to older adulthood. The journal of positive psychology, 2009, 4 (1), 43 - 52.

[4] Wang, Y., Wu, X., & Gan, Y. Effect of search for meaning and perspective change on depression in college students: A mediated moderation model. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 2015, 29 (11), 858 - 863.

[5] Pang, C., Zhuang, S., Wang, Y., & Gan, Y. Cognitive Appraisal and Meaning in Life in Recalling of Past Events: The Emotion as a Mediator. Acta Scientia rum Naturalium Universitatis Pekinensis, 2019, 55 (05), 977 - 986.

[6] Han, J., Qian, J., Zhang, J., & Pang, W. The Relationship between Creativity and Meaning in Life among College Students: The Role of Positive Emotion and Creative Self-efficacy. Psychological Development and Education, 2024, 40 (02), 187 - 195.

[7] Jin, S., Self-concept and its development. Journal of Beijing Normal University (Social Science), 1996, (01), 30 - 36.

[8] Liu, F., & Huang, X. A review of the research on the multidimensional and multilevel model of self-concept. Advances in Psychological Science, 2001, (02), 136 - 140.

[9] Nie, H., & Gan, Y. Relationship between Self-concept Clarity and Meaning in Life and Subjective Well-being. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2017, 25 (05), 923 - 927.

[10] Çebi, E., Demir, A. A Path Model of Meaning in Life among University Students: The Roles of Gratitude, Self-Concept Clarity and Self-Construal. Applied Research Quality Life, 2022, 17 (1), 3091 - 3113.

[11] Du, X., Jiang, J., Jiang, W., Wang, J., Wang, W., & Yang K. Antecedents and intervention strategies of self-concept clarity: A new perspective from three facets of self-concept structural integration. Journal of Psychological Science, 2023, 46 (1), 170.

[12] Lodi-Smith, J., & Crocetti, E. Self-concept clarity development across the lifespan. Self-concept clarity: Perspectives on assessment, research, and applications, 2017, 67 - 84.

[13] Chen, S., Li, X., & Ye, S. Self-concept Clarity and Meaning in Life: A Daily Diary Study in a Collectivistic Culture. Journal of Happiness Studies, 2024, 25 (6), 59.

[14] Shin, J. Y., Steger, M. F., & Henry, K. L. Self-concept clarity’s role in meaning in life among American college students: A latent growth approach. Self and Identity, 2016, 15 (2), 206 – 223.

[15] Qin, J., Guo, Y., Shi, Y., & Wang L. Visual analysis of research on the meaning of life based on knowledge graph, Journal of Nurses Training, 2024, 1 (1), 1 - 15.

[16] Cross, S. E., & Madson, L. Models of the self: Self-construals and gender. Psychological Bulletin, 1997, 122 (1), 5 – 37.

[17] King, L. A., & Hicks, J. A. The Science of Meaning in Life. Annual Review of Psychology, 2021, 72 (1), 561 – 584.

[18] Cicero, D.C. Measurement Invariance of the Self-Concept Clarity Scale across Race and Sex. J Psychopathol Behav Assess, 2020, 42, 296 – 305.

[19] Campbell, J. D., Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., & Lehman, D. R. Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1996,70, 141 – 156.

[20] Zeng, J. The relationship between time attitude and sense of Life meaning: the intermediary role of self-concept clarity and curriculum intervention. Fuzhou: Fujian Normal University, 2023.