Concern for Mianzi and Social-Behavioral and School Adjustment among Chinese Adolescents: The Role of Social Preference
Saved in:
| Title: | Concern for Mianzi and Social-Behavioral and School Adjustment among Chinese Adolescents: The Role of Social Preference |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Long Hei, Xinyin Chen (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Adolescence. 2026 98(4):1053-1063. |
| Availability: | Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 11 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Junior High Schools Middle Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Adolescents, Social Influences, Reputation, Junior High School Students, Prosocial Behavior, Aggression, Behavior Problems, Learning Problems, Predictor Variables, Peer Relationship, Preferences, Gender Differences, Self Concept, Foreign Countries, Student Attitudes |
| Geographic Terms: | China |
| DOI: | 10.1002/jad.70116 |
| ISSN: | 0140-1971 1095-9254 |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Seeking social approval and recognition is a major driving force for adolescents to engage in social interactions. Mianzi ("面子" in Chinese) is an indigenous concept related to the social perception of one's prestige or admiration. The goal of this 2-year longitudinal study was to examine the moderating role of social preference in the relations between self-reported concern for mianzi and adjustment in Chinese adolescents. Methods: Participants in this study included junior high school students (N = 938; 461 boys) initially in seventh grade (Mage = 12.41 years) in urban and rural areas of China. Students completed a self-report measure of concern for mianzi, peer assessments of social preference, prosociality, and aggression. Head teachers in each classroom rated each student in the class on their behavioral problems and learning problems. Results & Conclusions: Adolescents' concern for mianzi was found to negatively predict later aggression, behavioral problems, and learning problems for students who had high initial social preference. Concern for mianzi also positively predicted later aggression for students, particularly boys, who had low initial social preference. The results suggested that concern for mianzi might be a sensitivity factor in adolescents' social-behavioral and school adjustment and highlighted the role of context in shaping the relations. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1507879 |
| Database: | ERIC |
Be the first to leave a comment!
