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. 2022 Nov 16;12(11):1644-1656.
doi: 10.3390/ejihpe12110115.

Serial Mediation Model of Social Capital Effects over Academic Stress in University Students

Mario Eduardo Castro Torres  1 , Pablo Marcelo Vargas-Piérola  2 , Carlos F Pinto  1 , Rubén Alvarado  3
Affiliations

Serial Mediation Model of Social Capital Effects over Academic Stress in University Students

Mario Eduardo Castro Torres et al. Eur J Investig Health Psychol Educ. .

Abstract

Background: Although several studies have shown that social capital and social support decreases academic stress (AS), there has been lack of atheoretical model to explain how this occurs. This study aims to verify a model that explains the effect of bonding social capital (BSC) over academic stress psychological symptoms (PsyS), considering the multiple sequential mediation of socio-emotional support (SES), self-efficacy (sEffic) and self-esteem (sEstee). Methods: In a transversal study, 150 undergraduate volunteer students were recruited using non-probabilistic purposive sampling. Data were collected using psychological questionnaires and were processed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: Goodness of fit of the models (SRMR = 0.056, 0.057, <HI95) (dULS, dG < HI95), reliability and validity are adequate. The indirect effect of BSC over PsyS (β = −0.196; IC 95% [−0.297, −0.098]) is relevant and significant and is serial mediated by SES and sEffic. Conclusions: From a very precise conceptual definition, a model is generated, within which empirical evidence explains the relationship between BSC and PsyS, emphasizing the role of BSC in the development of personal resources to cope with AS. This can be applied to policies and public health programs that affect these variables.

Keywords: academic stress; self-efficacy; self-esteem; social capital; social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hypothesis model.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Empirical model: Results of the structural model. Note: Segmented lines represent indirect relations. * CI 95% ≠ 0.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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