Pathways to subjective well-being: A study of self-acceptance, critical thinking, and stoicism in Vietnamese higher...

Given the growing interest in subjective well-being, especially among university students who face many pressures during the transition to adulthood, this study aimed to explore the intrinsic factors influencing subjective well-being, including self-acceptance, critical thinking, and stoicism. The study aimed to assess the mediating role of stoicism and the moderating role of critical thinking in the relationship between self-acceptance and subjective well-being. Research data were collected using a convenience sampling approach from 729 students after mental skills workshops at several universities, where participants from various disciplines completed an online survey. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The results show that self-acceptance directly and positively affected subjective well-being, with stoicism as a mediator that enhanced this relationship by helping students regulate emotions and maintain a positive outlook in challenging situations. Critical thinking is found to play a significant moderating role, enabling students to analyze better and adapt their self-acceptance and stoic attitudes, thus fostering greater subjective well-being. In particular, students with higher levels of critical thinking can better transform self-awareness into constructive actions and maintain emotional stability. The study suggests that these psychological factors should be applied in designing student support programs to improve mental health and well-being in the university environment.