Authentic Inner Compass and Subjective Well-Being Among Chinese Emerging Adults: A Moderated Mediation Model

Originating from the self-determination theory, the authentic inner compass (AIC) enlightens people about their authentic values, interests, and life aspirations, functioning as an action-guiding schema. Previous studies have examined AIC among adolescents, but its significance for emerging adults is underexplored, especially in less autonomy-oriented cultures (e.g., Chinese cultures). Informed by the self-determination theory, the present study aimed to investigate the association between AIC and subjective well-being among Chinese emerging adults and examine further the mediating role of resilience and the moderating role of anxious attachment. A total of 155 Chinese emerging adults completed measures on AIC, resilience, anxious attachment, and subjective well-being. The results showed that AIC was positively associated with subjective well-being, and resilience fully mediated the association. Moreover, anxious attachment strengthened the positive link between AIC and resilience. The findings highlight the importance of AIC and resilience in boosting subjective well-being, emphasizing the significance of AIC for anxiously attached individuals. The moderated mediation model enriches the self-determination theory and resilience literature. Future practices aiming to promote the well-being of Chinese emerging adults may focus on fostering AIC and resilience and consider individual differences in attachment styles.