Self-experience consistency and life satisfaction: The mediating role of the need for relatedness and the moderating role of Zhong-yong thinking

Abstract

AbstractSelf-experience consistency has an important effect on life satisfaction; however, the underlying mechanism of this relationship remains unclear. This study aims to examine why self-experience consistency is related to increased life satisfaction. To do so, we investigated the relationships between self-experience consistency, the need for relatedness, Zhong-yong thinking, and life satisfaction in a sample of 456 undergraduate students. We also tested a moderated mediation model examining Zhong-yong thinking as a moderator. The results suggest that self-experience consistency related to life satisfaction was due, in part, to an increased need for relatedness. However, interpretation of this finding is limited by the use of cross-sectional data. Furthermore, Zhong-yong thinking moderated the self-experience consistency—need for relatedness link, such that the link was stronger for individuals with high/moderate levels of Zhong-yong thinking. Overall, these findings address a major gap in the positive psychology literature. Finally, implications for research are discussed.