Abstract
Belief in a just world (BJW) has been found to have a positive effect on life satisfaction, which is an important part of well-being. However, previous studies have been cross-sectional and mainly focused on adults and older people. Thus, the longitudinal relationships between BJW (including both general BJW and personal BJW) and life satisfaction remain unclear, particularly in adolescents, who are in an important stage of academic, emotional, and personality development. The present study investigated the longitudinal relationships between BJW (general BJW and personal BJW) and life satisfaction in adolescents, and further investigated the mediating effect of peer relationships in this relationship. Participants (Time 1: n = 1156; Time 2: n = 930) were Chinese secondary vocational school students. Participants completed measures of BJW, life satisfaction, and peer relationships at both Time 1 and Time 2. The correlations analysis and cross-lagged panel model were performed. The results revealed that BJW (general BJW and personal BJW) was positively correlated with the life satisfaction, both concurrently and longitudinally. In addition, peer relationships mediated the relationship between BJW and life satisfaction. That is, adolescents with a stronger BJW had better peer relationships, which led to increased life satisfaction. This study provides a new perspective that could help to improve adolescents’ life satisfaction. The present results have important implications for promoting life satisfaction and well-being in adolescents at secondary vocational schools. Schools, families, and societies should pay more attention to the BJW and peer relationships of adolescents.
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This study was funded by Key projects of the National Social Science Foundation later period of China (grant number 22FJKA003).
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Wang, C., Yuan, B. & Wang, D. Peer Relationships Mediate the Relationship Between Belief in a Just World and Life Satisfaction in Chinese Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study. Applied Research Quality Life 18, 3043–3059 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-023-10219-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-023-10219-3