The influence of family of origin on college students' life values: the mediating role of self-esteem

Research Hypothesis
Core Hypothesis: The family of origin (family relationships, family environment) has a positive impact on college students' life values, with self-esteem playing a partial mediating role. Theoretical Basis: Based on family systems theory (Song & Song, 2022), families shape individuals' values and levels of self-esteem through the process of socialization.
Data Content and Collection Methods
Sample: 853 college students (299 from rural areas, 554 from urban areas; 486 only children, 367 non-only children). Measurement Tools:
Family Variables: Family Relationship and Family Environment Scales (Likert scoring, presented as mean ± standard deviation);
Life Values: Including dimensions such as "attitude toward life" and "value standards";
Self-Esteem Level: Used as a mediating variable.
Analytical Methods: Independent samples t-tests (for differences between rural/urban and only/non-only children), mediation effect analysis.
Key Findings
Urban-Rural Differences:
Rural students scored significantly higher than urban students in family relationships (23.77±7.70 vs. 17.87±8.03) and exhibited higher value scores (e.g., "value standards": 14.44 vs. 11.08).
Only-Child Differences:
Non-only children showed higher ratings in family environment (23.86±7.64) and family relationships (23.17±7.66), along with more stable values.
Mediating Effect: Self-esteem partially explained the pathway through which family influences values.
Data Interpretation and Application
Mechanism: Family cohesion (such as in rural and non-only-child families) enhances self-esteem through emotional support, thereby promoting positive values . Limitations: Cross-sectional data cannot establish causality; confounding variables such as economic status were not controlled. Practical Implications: For urban only-child populations, targeted family interventions and self-esteem development are needed (e.g., referring to Ouyang et al., 2024's social support strategies).
Summary: The study confirms the pathway of family → self-esteem → values, revealing the moderating effects of family structure (urban/rural, only child status). Data support the long-term influence of family environment on psychological development, though further validation via longitudinal studies is required.