Socially responsible leadership profiles and their correlates among Chinese college students: a latent profile analysis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Socially responsible leadership (SRL) encompasses individual, group, and societal values relevant to college student development. This study identified SRL profiles among Chinese undergraduates, examined profile similarity across gender, and investigated factors associated with profile membership. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,248 students from eight higher education institutions. Latent profile analysis was performed using seven SRL dimensions, followed by multigroup comparisons and three-step analyses of profile membership. Results: Three SRL profiles were identified: low SRL (18.67%), average SRL (57.45%), and high SRL (23.88%). The profiles differed mainly in overall SRL, with broadly parallel patterns across the seven dimensions. Women and men showed the same low-average-high ordering, although corresponding profile means were not fully equivalent. Place of origin, financial hardship, family socioeconomic status, and first-generation status were associated with selected profile contrasts. Leadership efficacy, extracurricular engagement, and perceived teacher support were positively associated with higher-profile membership in separate models. Discussion: The findings characterize SRL profiles among Chinese college students and reveal both similarities and differences across gender. The associations with extracurricular engagement, leadership efficacy, and teacher support highlight relevant personal and educational resources for student leadership development.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Authors: Xing Gao, Xinzhu Wang, Fenglin Li, Bin Gao
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7220853544