Effects of meaning in life on subjective well-being: The mediating role of self-efficacy

Previous research has shown that meaning in life is closely related to well-being, a relationship that has been receiving increasing scholarly attention. We explored the mechanism by which people with a high level of meaning in life show enhanced subjective well-being, with a focus on the mediating role of self-efficacy in this link. Participants in this study were 245 undergraduates at three Chinese universities. Data were collected by using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling results show that self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between meaning in life and subjective well-being. Moreover, the results of a bootstrapping analysis show there were both indirect and direct significant links between meaning in life and subjective well-being through self-efficacy. These findings are useful for those working in public health services to enhance the subjective well-being of individuals by addressing their sense of meaninglessness in life and inspiring confidence.