Previous studies have shown that Easterners generally perceive themselves as having lower subjective well-being compared with Westerners, and several mechanisms causing such differences have been identified. However, few studies have analyzed the causes of such differences from the perspective of the cross-cultural differences in the meanings of important life events such as whether people receive approval from others. Specifically, events regarding others’ approval might have different meanings to and influences on Easterners and Westerners. Thus, the degree of fluctuation of people’s views of self-worth in response to these events (i.e., others’ approval contingencies of self-worth [CSW]) probably differs between Easterners and Westerners. This may be a reason for cross-cultural differences in subjective well-being. We investigated two samples of undergraduate students from Taiwan and the United States to examine the mediating role of others’ approval CSW in forming cross-cultural differences in subjective well-being. The results revealed that Taiwanese participants exhibited lower subjective well-being and higher others’ approval CSW than American participants. In addition, others’ approval CSW partially mediated the cross-cultural differences in subjective well-being. Thus, one reason for lower subjective well-being among Easterners was likely that their self-esteem was more prone to larger fluctuations depending on whether they receive approval from others in everyday life.
This study discussed the student volunteers' perspectives on the roles/functions of University Counseling Center (UCC). Fifteen student volunteers of a university in northern Taiwan participated.Phenomenological method was employed to analyze in-depth interviews. Themes emerged including volunteers viewed; roles and functions of UCC as enhancing the quality of mental health on campus, psychological and counseling education beneficial to students for comprehending counseling and UCC, specialized counseling services designed to take the initiative to reach out to students, and direct counseling interventions provided to tailor individual students' needs. Participants suggested that UCPs should help students know more about UCC and the counseling profession. Students will "be familiarized with UCC, trust UCP, and visit UCC." Consequently, they will utilize UCC resources when needed.
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