Work

The Effect of Upward Social Comparison on Academic Involution Among College Students: Serial Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem and Perceived Stress

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Academic involution in college students has a significant impact on their physical and mental health; however, its internal psychological mechanism remains unexplored. This study aimed to examine the relationship between upward social comparison and academic involution among college students and investigate the serial mediating role of self-esteem and perceived stress. A questionnaire survey, which included the Upward Social Comparison, Self-Esteem, Chinese Perceived Stress, and College Students' Academic Involution Scales, was conducted with 730 college students via the random sampling method. The results revealed that all pairs of variables were significantly correlated. Furthermore, upward social comparison not only directly influenced college students' academic involution, but also indirectly affected it through the separate mediating roles of self-esteem and perceived stress, as well as the serial mediating effect of both variables. This study enriches the theoretical mechanism of college students' academic involution and offers empirical support for designing mental health education and intervention programs.

Source: Behavioral Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/bs15111515

Authors: Ru Wen, Qingying Jin

Institution: Jilin University

Language: English

Topic: Student Stress and Coping

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,654