Gender differences in Chinese adolescents' subjective well-being: the mediating role of self-efficacy

Psychol Rep. 2015 Feb;116(1):311-21. doi: 10.2466/17.07.PR0.116k15w2. Epub 2015 Feb 4.

Abstract

Although gender differences in self-efficacy and subjective well-being have been reported in previous studies, little published research has investigated the interrelationships between these variables in adolescents. 648 Chinese adolescents were administered a series of questionnaires to test the hypothesis that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between gender and subjective well-being. The results indicated that adolescent girls had lower general self-efficacy than adolescent boys, which explained girls' lower subjective well-being. The theoretical and practical implications may help parents and educators to strengthen adolescents' happiness.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development*
  • China / ethnology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Sex Factors