Social Behavior and Personality

Influence of social networking site use on body image disturbances among young women in China

Wei Wang — 2024-09-04

Young adult women in China are at high risk of body image disturbances and are among the most frequent users of social networking sites (SNS). We investigated the association between SNS use and body image disturbances in this group, as well as the mediating effect of upward social comparison. We recruited 511 women to complete questionnaires on SNS use, upward social comparison, and body dissatisfaction. Results indicated that SNS use was significantly and positively associated with upward social comparison and body dissatisfaction among young women in China, and upward social comparison mediated this association. Findings from the current study provide new evidence for the tripartite influence model of body image and indicate that SNS use is a risk factor for body image disturbances.

Relationship between proactive personality and online reading motivation in teenagers: A moderated mediation model

Tingming Yu — 2024-09-04

The development of teenagers’ reading habits is important for their integration into adult society, and the popularity of the digital space provides ample opportunity. However, empirical research on teenagers’ online reading motivation in Mainland China is limited. We constructed a moderated mediation model to examine the relevant factors that affect teenagers’ online reading motivation and the mechanisms of these relationships. Participants comprised 819 middle school students who completed questionnaires at a single time point. The results demonstrated that proactive personality was significantly and positively related to teenagers’ motivation to read online, while general self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between proactive personality and online reading motivation. Furthermore, family socioeconomic status moderated the relationship between self-efficacy and online reading motivation. These findings contribute to the literature on the antecedents and mechanisms of teenagers’ online reading behavior and provide theoretical and practical implications for online reading services.

The effect of peer relationships on loneliness: A moderated mediation model

Zhengzheng Lin — 2024-09-04

I examined the effect of peer relationships and core self-evaluation on loneliness, and explored the moderating role of migrant status in this context by surveying 389 junior high school students using a questionnaire method. The results showed that core self-evaluation partially mediated the relationship between peer relationships and loneliness. In addition, migrant status had a significant moderating effect on the first half pathway of the mediating process. These findings deepen understanding of the mechanisms affecting loneliness in adolescents, especially migrant adolescents. The findings could help researchers develop more effective interventions to reduce loneliness among adolescents, focusing on the mental health problems of migrant children to provide them with more comprehensive support.

Effect of teacher–student relationships on the online learning motivation of secondary school students

Beibei Guan — 2024-09-04

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on secondary school teaching and learning models and has changed the way students attend classes. This study examined the impact of teacher–student relationships on secondary school students’ online learning motivation during the pandemic, using self-determination theory. We proposed that basic psychological needs would mediate this relationship, with affective experiences playing a moderating role. Data were collected through an online survey of 1,168 secondary school students during the outbreak containment period in China (October 14–21, 2022). The results indicated that teacher–student relationships positively influenced motivation, with basic psychological needs serving as a partial mediator, highlighting the moderating role of emotional experience in the direct association between teacher–student relationships and online learning motivation. The research enhances understanding of the dynamics between teacher support and student needs in online learning environments, and has implications for promoting student engagement and educational outcomes.

Impact of childhood adversity and resilience on behavioral outcomes: Well-being and parental support as mediators

Ankita Garg — 2024-09-04

This study investigated the relationships between childhood adversity, resilience, and behavioral outcomes in children aged 9–12 years, along with the mediating variables of well-being (an internal factor) and parental support (an environmental factor). We recruited 250 children (125 boys and 125 girls) from schools across districts of Punjab, India. Structural equation modeling results revealed there was a statistically significant relationship between adversity and resilience and that parental support was the primary mediator of this relationship. These findings highlight the significance of environmental factors, such as parents who help their children through hardship, and the relevance of internal factors that play an equal role in influencing behavioral outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Ambient music and retailer equity: The moderating role of music fit

Yao Jin — 2024-09-04

Researchers have explored the impact of ambient music on consumer responses in the retail environment and reported conflicting findings. This study investigated the relationship between ambient music and retailer equity, with a focus on the moderating effect of music fit. Data were collected through a field study conducted in a fashion store, where pop songs were used to attract customers (N = 406). Hierarchical regression analysis results suggested that ambient music was positively associated with retailer equity, and the strength of this relationship was moderated by music fit. Specifically, the positive impact of ambient music on retailer equity was stronger when the music aligned with customers’ overall image of the store. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

The relationship between perceived social support and career adaptability among Chinese vocational students post-COVID-19: A path analysis approach

Chen Xu — 2024-09-04

Career adaptability is a key ability for young people to cope with challenges and changes in career development. This study explored the relationship between perceived social support and the career adaptability of Chinese vocational students post-COVID-19, along with the mediating role of self-efficacy and positive coping. Using cluster sampling, we collected 846 questionnaires from current vocational students in China. Our results showed that perceived social support was positively associated with career adaptability, influencing it through three pathways: the mediating effect of self-efficacy, the mediating effect of positive coping, and the chain mediating effect of self-efficacy and positive coping. Perceived social support also had positive associations with self-efficacy, positive coping, and career adaptability. Our findings provide new insight into potential strategies for promoting the development and adaptation skills of vocational students post-COVID-19.

Sense of safety, school identification, and well-being: The indirect impact of relational mobility

Xiaoge Pei — 2024-09-04

This study evaluated the impact of relational mobility on well-being, integrating the mediating effects of sense of safety and school identification. Participants comprised 373 university students who completed online surveys over 1 week, after which we used partial least squares regression to analyze the data. The results showed (a) the direct effect of relational mobility on well-being was not significant, (b) relational mobility had a positive impact on sense of safety and school identification, (c) sense of safety and school identification had a positive impact on well-being, and (d) sense of safety and school identification serially mediated the relationship between relational mobility and well-being. Researchers, educators, and policymakers can benefit from these new insights into how relational mobility affects Chinese university students’ well-being and how sense of safety and school identification contribute to its impact.

Acceptance intention toward kiosk technology in golf courses

Jee-Hoon Han — 2024-09-04

This study examined users’ intention to accept the introduction of kiosks into golf courses by using the Technology Readiness Index 2.0 and the technology acceptance model. We conducted an online survey of 274 golf course users and used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The analysis showed that golf course users were ready to accept new technology in the form of kiosks, owing to their greater efficiency and convenience. On the basis of our findings, golf courses should provide a seamless service to users, raising their awareness of kiosks and encouraging them to consider these as easy and convenient to use.

Exploring the adoption of social robots: Influences of promotion focus, anthropomorphism, and monetary sacrifice

Hyeon Jo — 2024-09-04

Amid the rapid advancement of technology, social robots are increasingly becoming a part of human society. This study explored the associations between promotion focus, prevention focus, anthropomorphism, facial expression, monetary sacrifice, and overall attitudes with users’ intention to use social robots. We employed a survey-based design and analyzed data from 300 adult users through partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results showed significant associations of promotion focus, anthropomorphism, monetary sacrifice, and overall attitude with the intention to use social robots. Notably, monetary sacrifice was associated with a positive perception, indicating that higher costs might be seen as an indicator of superior quality and advanced technology. Conversely, prevention focus and facial expression did not show significant associations with the intention to use social robots. These findings provide useful guidelines for product developers and marketers in social robotics who want to appeal to consumers while optimizing both time and cost.

Continued use of artificial intelligence coaching services: Application of the value-based acceptance model

YaWen Shen — 2024-09-04

We used the value-based acceptance model to examine what drives continued usage of artificial intelligence coaching services. Analyzing survey data from 320 users in South Korea who had engaged in sports activities facilitated by artificial intelligence coaching services, our structural equation modeling results showed that usefulness and enjoyment positively predicted users’ perceived value of the services, positively influencing their continued usage intention. Conversely, cost negatively predicted perceived value and complexity did not significantly affect perceived value. Thus, we can conclude that emphasizing benefits and minimizing costs are crucial for enhancing perceived value. Service providers should develop strategies to increase this value to maintain user engagement.

The impact of teacher work engagement on student engagement: Teaching quality as a mediator

Lidan Xiong — 2024-09-04

Considering the significance of student engagement as a contributing factor to academic achievement, it is crucial to investigate the methods by which teachers can encourage learning engagement. To this end, we examined the influence of teacher work engagement on student engagement, placing a particular emphasis on the mediating impact of teaching quality. Chinese teachers (N = 291) at a national teaching seminar completed a survey. Structural equation modeling analysis of the data confirmed that teacher work engagement had a positive relationship with both teaching quality and student engagement. Moreover, teacher work engagement indirectly affected student engagement via its mediating impact on teaching quality. This research contributes to the elucidation of the underlying mechanism governing the association between teacher work engagement and student engagement.

Social support and college students’ exercise adherence: Chain mediating effect test

Wei Liu — 2024-09-04

This study explored the relationships between social support, cognitive reappraisal, emotional intelligence, and college students’ exercise adherence. We investigated the mechanism underlying the relationship between social support and exercise adherence to provide a potential route through which to promote exercise adherence among college students. Using convenience sampling, we recruited 1,621 college students in Liaoning Province, China, who completed scales measuring social support, exercise adherence, cognitive reappraisal, and emotional intelligence. The results showed that (a) social support directly and positively influenced college students’ exercise adherence, and (b) social support indirectly influenced college students’ exercise adherence through the independent mediating effect of emotional intelligence and the chain mediating effect of cognitive reappraisal and emotional intelligence. This research deepens understanding of the influence of social support on exercise adherence in college students.

The teacher–student relationship and student creativity: Student engagement as a mediator

Pengzhen He — 2024-09-04

Given the importance of creativity in higher education, it is imperative to explore the strategies that can be employed at universities to foster student creativity. With this objective in mind, our aim in this study was to investigate the impact of the teacher–student relationship on student creativity, with a specific focus on the mediating role of student engagement. To collect data, we had 526 Chinese college students complete a survey. The hypotheses were tested through structural equation modeling. The results indicated that a positive teacher–student relationship was positively connected with student creativity indirectly through the mediation of student engagement. This research enhances understanding of the underlying mechanism that links the teacher–student relationship to student creativity and provides practical implications for promoting creativity among college students.

Parental involvement and adolescent athletes’ mental health: The mediating role of psychological resilience

Jun Xiang — 2024-09-04

The stigmatization of mental health among adolescent athletes is influenced by external factors. We explored the impact of parental involvement on mental health stigma, examining the mediating roles of psychological resilience and subjective well-being. Utilizing a nonprobability convenience sampling technique, we recruited 250 Chinese university student athletes who completed paper questionnaires on site at a single time point. The results revealed negative associations between mental health stigma and parental involvement, psychological resilience, and subjective well-being. Psychological resilience and subjective well-being independently and sequentially mediated this relationship. Our findings highlight the tangible benefits of positive parental involvement in mitigating mental health stigma, as well as offering a theoretical foundation for interventions addressing mental health stigma in Chinese adolescent athletes.

Enhancing knowledge sharing of host-country nationals in foreign subsidiaries: Does cultural intelligence matter?

Xiaoyuan Li — 2024-09-04

The knowledge of host-country nationals who work in the foreign subsidiaries of multinationals is a crucial strategic resource for their employers. This study explored the role that cultural intelligence plays in employees’ knowledge sharing within a cross-cultural workplace context. Building on social identity theory, this study developed a theoretical framework to explore how host-country nationals’ cultural intelligence could enhance their knowledge sharing via increasing their social identity, and further investigated the mediating role of host-country nationals’ relationships with expatriates and identification with their organization. Using survey data from 412 host-country nationals working for 16 foreign subsidiaries in South Korea, I found that cultural intelligence directly predicted knowledge sharing. The results support and extend the extant literature and provide practical implications for multinationals regarding the management of host-country nationals.

Confucian leadership and millennial employee loyalty: The mediating role of supervisor–subordinate guanxi

Yiyuan Li — 2024-09-04

Extensive research has been conducted to scrutinize employee loyalty, but scant attention has been directed toward understanding this phenomenon within the context of the millennial workforce in China. To address this research gap, in this study we investigated the association between Confucian leadership and employee loyalty among millennials in China, incorporating the mediating role of supervisor–subordinate guanxi in this relationship. Participants were 250 employees of 15 firms, who completed a self-administered survey. We found a positive relationship between Confucian leadership and millennial employee loyalty. Moreover, supervisor–subordinate guanxi was a significant and partial mediator of this relationship. These findings suggest that it is important to adopt Confucian leadership as well as building quality supervisor–subordinate guanxi when enhancing millennial employee loyalty.

Could ambidextrous learning improve employees’ disruptive innovation behavior? A double-mediation model

Xiaona Yang — 2024-09-04

This study investigated the influence mechanism of ambidextrous learning on disruptive innovation behavior and the mediating effects of error management climate and creative self-efficacy. I conducted both online and offline surveys with 452 employees in private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and institutions. The results indicate that ambidextrous learning predicts employees’ disruptive innovation behavior, and both error management climate and creative self-efficacy have significant partial mediating effects on the relationship between ambidextrous learning and disruptive innovation behavior. This study contributes to ambidextrous learning and disruptive innovation behavior research and advances scholarship into aspects of employees’ disruptive innovation behavior in enterprises.