The paper titled “Associations between insecurity and stress among Chinese university students: The mediating effects of hope and self-efficacy,” authored by Wen, Zhu, J., Ye, H., Li, L., Ma, Z., Wen, X., and Zuo, B. (2021), published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, investigates the relationship between insecurity and stress among Chinese university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study further explores how hope and self-efficacy mediate this relationship, highlighting the importance of positive self-beliefs in mitigating the effects of insecurity on stress.
The research was conducted using a cross-sectional design, with 5,286 participants recruited from a university via an online survey. The participants had an average age of 19.65 years. To measure the variables of interest, the study utilized several standardized scales: the Security Questionnaire to assess insecurity, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) for stress, and the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PPQ) to measure hope and self-efficacy. The data were analyzed using parallel mediation analysis with the PROCESS macro in SPSS, allowing the researchers to examine the indirect effects of hope and self-efficacy on the relationship between insecurity and stress.
The study’s findings indicate a positive correlation between insecurity and stress, suggesting that students who perceive higher levels of insecurity are more likely to experience stress. More importantly, the results demonstrate that hope and self-efficacy serve as mediators in this relationship. This means that these positive self-beliefs can help buffer the negative impact of insecurity on stress, potentially reducing the overall stress levels experienced by students. The presence of hope and self-efficacy appears to offer psychological resilience, enabling students to better cope with the uncertainties and challenges brought about by the pandemic.
However, the study acknowledges certain limitations. The generalizability of the findings may be restricted, as the model has not been tested in other regions or among different populations. Future research could explore the role of other positive self-beliefs, such as optimism and resilience, in mitigating stress and insecurity. Expanding the scope of research in this area could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the psychological mechanisms that protect against stress in times of crisis.
The study concludes by providing direct evidence of the impact of insecurity on stress among university students, contributing to the broader body of literature on stress and coping mechanisms. The findings underscore the importance of fostering positive self-beliefs, such as hope and self-efficacy, to alleviate stress during challenging periods like the COVID-19 pandemic. These insights are particularly valuable for developing interventions aimed at improving the mental health of university students, who are increasingly facing significant psychological challenges.
Moreover, the paper highlights the growing concern over mental health issues among university students. Over 20% of students reported feeling depressed, and nearly half experienced anxiety. Additionally, more than 70% of students reported varying levels of psychological stress, with academic pressure and uncertainty being the most significant contributors to their mental health struggles. The study emphasizes that university students, due to their lack of social experience and psychological maturity, often face insecurity related to their current state, life meaning, career goals, and future prospects. This insecurity frequently leads to self-doubt and self-criticism, ultimately resulting in anxiety and depression.
This research provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics between insecurity and stress among university students. It also highlights the critical role that hope, and self-efficacy can play in reducing stress, particularly in the context of the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing these positive self-beliefs could be effective in supporting students’ mental health and well-being during times of crisis.
References
Wen, F. et al. (2021) ‘Associations between insecurity and stress among Chinese university students: The mediating effects of hope and self-efficacy’, Journal of affective disorders, 281, pp. 447–453. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.047.
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