# The Effects of Value Conflicts on Stress in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediation Model

## TL;DR

This study examines how value conflicts contribute to stress in Chinese college students and how self-construal and self-concept clarity influence this relationship.

## Contribution

The study introduces a moderated mediation model linking value conflicts, self-construal, self-concept clarity, and stress in a Chinese college student population.

## Key findings

- Stress levels were significantly linked to conflicts between self-transcendence and self-enhancement values.
- Self-concept clarity partially mediated the relationship between value conflict and stress.
- Independent self-construal strengthened the link between value conflict and self-concept clarity.

## Abstract

Limited research has explored the connection between stress and value conflicts, particularly the influence of self-construal and self-concept clarity. This study surveyed a sample of 752 Chinese college students using the Depression–Anxiety-Stress Scale, Self-Construal Scale, Self-Concept Clarity Scale, and Portrait Values Questionnaire. The findings demonstrated that stress levels among participants were significantly associated with conflicts between self-transcendence and self-enhancement values, but no significant relationship was observed with openness vs. conservation conflicts. Mediation analysis revealed that self-concept clarity partially mediated this relationship. Additionally, moderated mediation analysis showed that the association between value conflict and self-concept clarity was stronger in students with high levels of independent self-construal. These results offer a deeper understanding of how value conflicts contribute to stress, highlighting potential pathways for targeted mental health interventions. Future studies should address the limitations of the current research and explore these relationships in more diverse contexts.