Adolescent values and well-being: A large-scale two-wave longitudinal study in China

This longitudinal study investigates the structure, developmental trends, and well-being implications of values among Chinese adolescents - a large, culturally distinctive population undergoing rapid social change. We conducted a large-scale, two-wave longitudinal study (Wave 1: N = 69,115; M = 12.74 ± 2.25 years; 49.84% girls; Wave 2: N = 45,762; M = 12.98 ± 2.22 years; 50.53% girls; with 45,762 students participating in both waves) across a 6-month interval. A three-factor structure of adolescent values emerged: Collective Altruism, Individual Initiative, and Individual Hedonism. Results revealed distinct developmental trajectories: Collective Altruism declined slightly, while Individual Hedonism increased, both stabilizing around mid-adolescence (age~15)-a developmental inflection point in value orientation. Cross-lagged models demonstrated small but significant reciprocal positive associations between Collective Altruism, Individual Initiative, and well-being, while Individual Hedonism showed a small but significant negative association with subsequent well-being. These findings support the theoretical framework of contextually healthy values-value orientations that are culturally normative and developmentally adaptive. This study also provides valuable insights for promoting adolescent mental health and positive development in rapidly modernizing contexts.