Impact of family and social support in enhancing psychological well-being of young adults in China

作者：Jing Chen · 发表于：BMC Psychology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s40359-025-03093-1 · 被引用次数：18 · 研究领域：Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction、Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving、Health disparities and outcomes

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the role of quality of life (QOL) in enhancing psychological well-being (PWB) among young adults in transitional, collectivist societies, with particular attention to contemporary China. To advance understanding of how diverse support systems nfluence youths' well-being, this study departs from recent literature that often conflates family support (FS) and social support (SS), and instead hypothetically distinguishes FS as a structural resource rooted in familial relationships while defining SS as a broader interpersonal resource beyond family unit. METHODS: This study empirically examines the distinct mediating and moderating roles of FS and SS in the relationship between QOL and PWB, and also explores the mediating influence of FS over the relationship between SS and QOL in shaping well-being of young adults within the Chinese context. Drawing on responses of 539 young respondents and employing key statistical methods, including reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and mediation and moderation analyses, this study tests the validity of the four proposed hypotheses. RESULTS: Current results determined that QOL strongly predicted PWB, with both FS and SS acting as significant mediators. As FS accounted for 38% of the total effect, this study advocated for the lasting influence of familial ties shaped by cultural values. SS, while being facilitated through peer networks and digital platforms, compensated for weaker fami...