Self-construal and attentional biases in cognitive processing: Insights from Chinese college students for mental health contexts

Abstract

This study integrates Markus and Kitayama’s self-construal theory with the Biopsychosocial Model to examine the effects of self-construal on cognitive biases and their implications for mental health among Chinese college students. It investigates how independent (IndSC) and interdependent (InterSC) self-construals influence cognitive biases towards positive and negative stimuli, emphasizing the mediating roles of attentional control, self-esteem, cognitive reappraisal, and the need to belong. The research utilizes a hybrid sampling strategy, engaging 748 undergraduate students from diverse majors and universities in Chongqing, China. Participants completed assessments measuring self-construal, attentional control, self-esteem, cognitive reappraisal, need to belong, and cognitive biases. Employing structural equation modeling, the study uncovers that IndSC is positively associated with cognitive biases, favoring positive over negative information, with attentional control and self-esteem serving as significant mediators. InterSC, however, promotes a balanced attention to both positive and negative information, with cognitive reappraisal and the need to belong acting as mediators. These findings underscore the significant role of self-construal within the broader biopsychosocial framework in shaping cognitive processes and highlight the importance of considering these factors in mental health interventions. By leveraging a comprehensive sampling approach, the study ensures a representative sample, enhancing the generalizability of its findings to the broader Chinese college student population. This research not only contributes to the understanding of the complex interplay between cultural psychology and mental health but also suggests the need for mental health interventions that are culturally and individually tailored. Future research should extend to other cultural settings and employ longitudinal designs to further explore the dynamic interactions between self-construal, cognitive biases, and mental health from a biopsychosocial perspective.