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Socioeconomic Inequality and Life Satisfaction in Late Childhood and Adolescence: A Moderated Mediation Model

Author

Listed:
  • Rong Zou

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

  • Gengfeng Niu

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

  • Wu Chen

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

  • Cuiying Fan

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

  • Yuan Tian

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

  • Xiaojun Sun

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

  • Zongkui Zhou

    (Ministry of Education
    Central China Normal University)

Abstract

An increasing number of studies have established an association between socioeconomic inequality and life satisfaction, but the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms of this association have not been fully identified. The present study investigated the effect of family socioeconomic status (SES) on life satisfaction in late childhood and adolescence; examined the mediating effect of optimism in the association between family SES and life satisfaction; and tested whether this mediating process varied across late childhood and adolescence. A sample of 552 Chinese children in late childhood (M age = 10.73 years, SD = 0.96) and 637 Chinese adolescents (M age = 14.71 years, SD = 1.60) was recruited to complete questionnaires regarding family SES, optimism, and life satisfaction. Results indicated that socioeconomic inequality was associated with life satisfaction in Chinese children and adolescents. Moreover, optimism partially mediated the relation between family SES and life satisfaction, and developmental period moderated this mediation effect. Specifically, the mediation effect was found in adolescence, but not in late childhood, indicating an adolescent-emergent model (Chen et al. in Psychol Bull 128(2):295–329, 2002; in Soc Sci Med 62(9):2161–2170, 2006). The meaning and implications of socioeconomic inequality in different development periods and applied considerations to improve life satisfaction in late childhood and adolescence are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Rong Zou & Gengfeng Niu & Wu Chen & Cuiying Fan & Yuan Tian & Xiaojun Sun & Zongkui Zhou, 2018. "Socioeconomic Inequality and Life Satisfaction in Late Childhood and Adolescence: A Moderated Mediation Model," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 136(1), pages 305-318, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:136:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-016-1542-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-016-1542-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Varela, Jorge J. & Fábrega, Jorge & Carrillo, Gisela & Benavente, Mariavictoria & Alfaro, Jaime & Rodríguez, Carlos, 2020. "Bullying and subjective well-being: A hierarchical socioeconomical status analysis of Chilean adolescents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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