Helping others as the key to achieving happiness”
The effect of social capital and public service motivation on subjective well-being among Chinese young adults
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9963490 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Ming-Lun Chung (0000-0002-9078-9812, National Taiwan Normal University), Eric Mp Chiu (0000-0001-6518-7126, National Chung Hsing University, corresponding author), Ken Ka-Wo Fung (0000-0002-9398-0479, Soochow University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 92 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 82-102 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-24 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Review of Administrative Sciences (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0020-8523 • E-ISSN: 1461-7226 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00208523251383888 |
| OpenAlex | W4416590383 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 63 |
Young adults are often taught to take part in public service activities inside and outside of school. By introducing the concept of public service motivation (PSM), this study attempts to explore the relative importance of young adults’ social capital and self-efficacy in promoting their subjective wellbeing (SWB). Surveying a large group of Chinese young adults from higher education institutions in four major cities in China, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen ( N = 710), this study reveals that SWB has a stronger association to social capital and self-efficacy than PSM. With the use of structural equation modeling, it is further found that social capital fosters SWB via the increase of self-efficacy instead of PSM. We also find that in addition to economic and monetary incentives, young adults in China can develop PSM through the construction of social capital, self-efficacy, and SWB. The implications for PSM studies, i.e. the social desirability issue and its dark side regarding mental health and life satisfaction will be discussed in a Chinese setting
China · Life satisfaction · Mental health · Public service · Public Service Motivation · Social capital · Structural equation modeling · Subjective well-being · Young adult · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Social Capital and Networks
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Self–Efficacy Beliefs As Determinants of Prosocial Behavior Conducive to Life Satisfaction Across Ages
On the bright and dark side of public service motivation
Toward a public administration theory of public service motivation
Organizational Influences, Public Service Motivation and Work Outcomes
On the evaluation of structural equation models
Efficacy of the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Bowling alone
The theory of planned behavior
Perceived Behavioral Control, Self‐Efficacy, Locus of Control, and the Theory of Planned Behavior 1
Measuring Social Capital in Five Communities
When altruists cannot help
Self-efficacy
Structural equation modeling in practice
Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor
Sense of Community, Sense of Community Responsibility, and Public Service Motivation as Predictors of Employee Well-Being and Engagement in Public Service Organizations
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Galloping Elephants
Bringing Society In
Whistle Blowers in the Federal Civil Service
Building Social Capital
Testing the Structure of Public Service Motivation in Korea
Public Service Motivation in an International Comparative Perspective
Needs and subjective well-being around the world
Social Capital and Democracy
The need to belong
Subjective well-being
Subjective well-being
Volunteer Work and Well-Being
Health Benefits of Volunteering in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study
How Social Relations and Structures can Produce Happiness and Unhappiness
| Highly cited | No |
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