Relationship between college students' self-concept clarity and subjective well-being: the chain mediating roles of sense of control and meaning in life.

Objectives: Self-Determination Theory suggests that the human tendency toward integration is a fundamental prerequisite for self-actualization and the pursuit of well-being. This study extends this premise by investigating the relationship between self-concept clarity and subjective well-being, with a focus on the mediating underpinnings of sense of control and meaning in life. By modeling these variables through independent and chained mediation, we highlight the adaptive utility of the integrative self. Ultimately, this work maps the pathways to subjective well-being and informs the design of targeted educational interventions. Methods: A survey was conducted among 805 college students using the Self-Concept Clarity Scale, the Subjective Well-Being Scale, the Self of Control Scale, and the MIL judgments. Results: (1) self-concept clarity was significantly positively correlated with sense of control, meaning in life, and subjective well-being ( Conclusion: The current study reveals that self-concept clarity exerts a significant influence on subjective well-being, a relationship primarily accounted for by the mediating roles of sense of control and meaning in life-particularly the role played by meaning in life. Consistent with Self-Determination Theory-which identifies the integrative tendency as a prerequisite for self-actualization and subjective well-being-these results highlight the adaptive utility of internal psychological structures. Beyond its theoretical contribution to the elucidation of well-being mechanisms, this work provides actionable insights for the implementation of targeted psychological support in higher education.