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Adolescent psychological resilience and subjective well-being: A meta-analysis

Jie Wu, Zijian Zhang, Tingye Chai, Yunbo Shen, Xianglian Yu^*

Psychology Department, Education College, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China

* Corresponding Author: Xianglian Yu. Email:

Journal of Psychology in Africa 2025, 35(6), 771-790. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpa.2025.067273

Received 29 April 2025; Accepted 19 November 2025; Issue published 30 December 2025

Abstract

A meta-analysis was conducted to systematically examine the relationship between adolescent psychological resilience and subjective well-being, including its tripartite components and potential moderators. Relevant literature was systematically searched across domestic and international databases, yielding 112 eligible studies comprising 115 independent samples (N = 78,018 adolescents). Significant positive correlations were identified between psychological resilience and both subjective well-being (r = 0.508, p < 0.001) and its components: life satisfaction (r = 0.470, p < 0.001) and positive affect (r = 0.465, p < 0.001). A weak negative correlation emerged with negative affect (r = −0.253, p < 0.001). Heterogeneity analysis revealed substantial between-study variance, suggesting significant moderator effects. Moderator analysis demonstrated significant cultural influences with Western cultural contexts showing stronger associations (r = 0.641, p < 0.001) than Eastern counterparts (r = 0.499, p < 0.001). Psychological resilience measurement instruments also served as significant moderators, particularly for the associations with positive and negative affect. Specifically, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) demonstrated stronger correlations with positive affect, while the Resilience Trait Scale for Chinese Adolescents (RTSCA) showed stronger inverse correlations with negative affect. These findings elucidate the complex interplay between psychological resilience and subjective well-being while informing targeted intervention strategies.

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Keywords

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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