The Effect Of Social Support On The Life Satisfaction Of University Students With Psychological Distress: The Mediating Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Hope

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the influence of social support on life satisfaction among university students in a predetermined province in China, particularly examining the mediating roles of emotional intelligence and hope. A total of 422 university students chosen using multi-stage sampling participated, providing a comprehensive demographic representation including age, gender, and academic background. Utilizing a quantitative design, the study employed validated instruments to measure social support, emotional intelligence, hope, and life satisfaction. Data gathering involved administering structured questionnaires and conducting structural equation modeling, to evaluate the relationships between the key variables. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between social support and life satisfaction, affirming the hypothesis that emotional intelligence and hope served as critical mediators in this relationship. The study's effect sizes and statistical significance levels underscored the robustness of these findings. In conclusion,  the study highlights the importance of social support in enhancing life satisfaction among university students, with the amplifying effect of emotional intelligence and hope. These results suggest practical implications for mental health strategies within educational settings, emphasizing the need for interventions that bolster not only social support networks but also students' emotional intelligence and hope. Such an approach could significantly contribute to improving overall student well-being and satisfaction with life, offering valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and mental health practitioners in developing comprehensive support systems for university students.