SHBC1169

L.J.CHENG¹, W.L.CHUA², Y.LAU¹

National University of Singapore¹, Tan Tock Seng Hospital²

Little is known about the simultaneous effect of seniority on the structural relationships of self-esteem, life satisfaction and positive psychological well-being. This study’s objective was to explore the direct effects of self-esteem on positive psychological well-being, including the examination of the moderating effects of self-esteem on positive psychological well-being by measuring life satisfaction and evaluating the impact of seniority on the aforementioned relationships.

This study used a structural equation modelling approach to test the proposed effects among 228 multi-ethnic university students. World Health Organisation Five Well-being Index, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale were used to assess positive psychological well-being, life satisfaction and self-esteem, respectively.

Findings revealed self-esteem has significant direct effects on positive psychological well-being, whereas life satisfaction is a significant moderator in the relationship between self-esteem and positive psychological well-being. A multiple group analysis indicated that the indirect effect of self-esteem on positive psychological well-being is more prominent in senior than in junior students.

The result suggests that self-esteem positively affects psychological well-being through direct and indirect pathways. Higher self-esteem also yielded better positive psychological well-being among university students through the enhancement of satisfaction in life in senior students.