Belief in a just world and meaning in life among Chinese adolescents: The mediating role of basic psychological need satisfaction

Previous literature has shown that adults with higher belief in a just world (BJW) experience greater meaning in life than those with less pronounced BJW. However, the role of BJW in adolescent meaning in life and the associated psychological mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, two studies were conduct...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta psychologica 2023-11, Vol.241, p.104099-104099, Article 104099
Main Authors: Yang, Zhixu, Su, Ruilin, Xin, Sufei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Adult
Asian People
Basic psychological need satisfaction
Belief in a just world
China
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Meaning in life
Personal Satisfaction
Social Justice - psychology
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Summary:Previous literature has shown that adults with higher belief in a just world (BJW) experience greater meaning in life than those with less pronounced BJW. However, the role of BJW in adolescent meaning in life and the associated psychological mechanisms remain unclear. Thus, two studies were conducted to explore the roles of personal belief in a just world (PBJW) and general belief in a just world (GBJW) in meaning in life as well as the explanatory role of basic psychological need satisfaction among Chinese adolescents. Study 1 offered cross-sectional evidence that individuals higher in PBJW and GBJW displayed greater meaning in life, and basic psychological need satisfaction accounted for these associations. Study 2 provided longitudinal evidence that individuals higher in PBJW and GBJW at Time 1 exhibited greater meaning in life six months later (Time 2), wherein basic psychological need satisfaction at Time 1 served as a mediator. These findings contribute to understanding the adaptive benefits of PBJW and GBJW in meaning in life during adolescence and point to a crucial channel connecting BJW and meaning in life. •Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were conducted among Chinese adolescents.•Personal/general belief in a just world predicted higher adolescent meaning in life.•Basic psychological need satisfaction accounted for these associations.
ISSN:0001-6918
1873-6297
DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.104099