Linking academic engagement to sense of coherence: Life satisfaction and social support as chain mediators

Abstract

We examined the chain mediating effect of life satisfaction and social support on the relationship between academic engagement and sense of coherence among 614 Chinese undergraduates. The results were as follows: (a) there were significant positive correlations among academic engagement, sense of coherence, life satisfaction, and social support; (b) life satisfaction mediated the relationship between academic engagement and sense of coherence, while social support mediated the relationship between life satisfaction and sense of coherence; and (c) life satisfaction and social support served as significant chain mediators of the link between academic engagement and sense of coherence. Thus, academic engagement not only directly influenced undergraduates’ sense of coherence but also indirectly affected it through life satisfaction and social support. To enhance undergraduates’ sense of coherence, educators should focus on strengthening students’ academic engagement, improving their life satisfaction, and enhancing the social support they receive.