The Relationship Between Negotiable Fate and Life Satisfaction: The Serial Mediation by Self-Esteem and Positive Psychological Capital

Abstract

Purpose Negotiable fate as a belief in coping with the difficulties and uncertainties of life has an impact on people’s mental health. This study aims to understand the influence of negotiate fate on college students’ life satisfaction and its underlying mechanism. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 1523 students from six universities across China. The study aimed to measure the variables of negotiable fate, self-esteem, positive psychological capital, and life satisfaction of all participants. To investigate the effect of negotiable fate on college students’ life satisfaction and the mediating roles of self-esteem and positive psychological capital in this relationship, a serial mediation effects model using Hayes’ PROCESS was employed. Results The results suggest that negotiable fate has a positive predictive effect on college students’ life satisfaction. The impact of negotiable fate on college students’ life satisfaction was mediated by self-esteem and positive psychological capital, and the chained mediation of self-esteem and positive psychological capital. Conclusion To summarize, the belief of negotiable fate has practical significance for the enhancement of college student’s mental health and quality of life, and the cultivation of college students’ belief of negotiable fate can be actively promoted in the future to help them better cope with the uncertainties and challenges in their lives to improve their life satisfaction.