Exploring post-pandemic life satisfaction in young adults
A dual analytical perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17832124 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Liang Li (0000-0002-1688-1143, The University of Western Australia, corresponding author), Hong Li (0000-0001-5170-505X, South China Normal University), Li Zhang (0000-0002-4441-5131, Qingdao University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-18 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2662-9992 • E-ISSN: 2662-9992 |
| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1057/s41599-026-06708-z |
| OpenAlex | W7130342096 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 46 |
This study explores post-pandemic life satisfaction among young adults in China using a dual analytical perspective to address the following objectives: (a) to determine the current status of life satisfaction; (b) to examine the unique contributions and interactions of social-environmental (objective and subjective socioeconomic status) and psychological factors (personal mastery, perceived constraints, search for meaning, and presence of meaning) on life satisfaction; (c) to identify homogeneous subgroups based on these factors; and (d) to assess differences in life satisfaction across these subgroups. Data from 862 young adults (M = 21.67, SD = 2.88; 57.54% female) were analyzed via mediation analysis and latent class analysis. The findings identify three distinct classes based on SES and psychological resources levels, revealing that those with high satisfaction in both domains report the highest life satisfaction; notably, low satisfaction in both domains correlates most strongly with life satisfaction. These results highlight the critical role of both SES and psychological resources in enhancing life satisfaction among young adults in the post-pandemic period
Latent class model · Life satisfaction · Mediation · Socioeconomic status · Three-domain system · Young adult · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Latent Class Analysis and Finite Mixture Modeling
Self-Determination Theory
Unprecedented disruption of lives and work
Likert Scale
Psychological Perspectives on Pathways Linking Socioeconomic Status and Physical Health
Emotional distress in young adults during the Covid-19 pandemic
Adolescents' Perceptions of Social Status
Statistical Power to Detect the Correct Number of Classes in Latent Profile Analysis
Understanding Power and Rules of Thumb for Determining Sample Sizes
Stability and specificity of meaning in life and life satisfaction over one year
Deciding on the Number of Classes in Latent Class Analysis and Growth Mixture Modeling
Statistical mediation analysis with a multicategorical independent variable
Relationship of subjective and objective social status with psychological and physiological functioning
Ten frequently asked questions about latent class analysis.
The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic
Study on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of Chinese college students
Spiritual Growth or Decline and Meaning-Making as Mediators of Anxiety and Satisfaction with Life During Religious Struggle
Examining the Measurement Invariance between Paper-and-Pencil and Internet-Administered Tests in China
Finding meaning in self-control
The role of family relationships on adolescents' development and adjustment during the Covid ‐19 pandemic
The association between objective and subjective socioeconomic status and subjective well-being
Is the desire for status a fundamental human motive? A review of the empirical literature
Latent Class Analysis
The sense of control as a moderator of social class differences in health and well-being
A conception of adult development
The meaning in life questionnaire
Happiness, income satiation and turning points around the world
The relation between socioeconomic status and academic achievement
Depression and life satisfaction after Kahramanmaraş earthquakes
Impacts of Extended Unemployment on Life Satisfaction of Young Adults Through Social Exclusion and Loneliness
Theory and Validity of Life Satisfaction Scales
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |