Serial Mediation Model Research Articles

Partner Phubbing and Sleep Quality: Serial Mediation Models With Relationship Satisfaction and Perceived Stress.

The increasing integration of technology into our lives has been affecting our daily routines and even our sleeps. Being a relatively new concept, phubbing refers to the act of overly engaging with one's phone while dismissing those around in the social settings. In this context, partner phubbing involves individuals exhibiting this neglect in the presence of their romantic partners. Evidence suggests that higher partner phubbing may lead to lower relationship satisfaction and higher perceived stress. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to examine whether relationship satisfaction and perceived stress mediate the relationship between partner phubbing and sleep quality. Four hundred twenty-three individuals (females = 78.5%, Mage = 29.19, SD = 6.87) participated in the study and completed the measures of partner phubbing, relationship satisfaction, perceived stress, and sleep quality. The results of the serial mediation analyses showed that partner phubbing was not a direct predictor of sleep quality. However, the relationship between partner phubbing and sleep quality was mediated by the four indirect paths through relationship satisfaction (β = 0.04, p < .05), perceived stress (β = 0.09, p < .05), relationship satisfaction-perceived stress (β = 0.02, p < .05), and perceived stress-relationship satisfaction (β = 0.00, p < .05). The findings suggest that partner phubbing may diminish sleep quality by reducing relationship satisfaction and increasing perceived stress levels. Alternatively, perceived stress exacerbated by partner phubbing could reduce relationship satisfaction, which eventually worsens sleep quality. Digital detox programs, group interventions, emotion-focused couple interventions, and stress management training can help overcome the effects of partner phubbing on sleep quality.

A test of moderated serial mediation model of compulsive buying among Gen Z fandoms moderated by trash talking

Purpose The study aims to identify the factors that influence young consumers’ compulsive buying, particularly Gen Z consumers who exhibit fandom qualities such as sharing the same interests and being willing to collaborate with others. This study investigates the direct and indirect impact of brand love and brand addiction on the relationship between social media addiction and compulsive buying. Design/methodology/approach The study collected data from 338 Gen Z fandoms. The snowball sampling approach is used to determine and collect data from the sample. To test for hypotheses, the study used the PROCESS macro with bootstrapping techniques to explore the direct and indirect relationships, as well as the moderated serial mediation model in this study. Findings The study found that social media addiction influences compulsive buying via the hierarchical linkages between brand love and brand addiction. Trash talking functions as a stimulant, amplifying the effect of brand addiction on compulsive buying. Research limitations/implications The data were collected from young Thai consumers; thus, the generalizability aspect of the research is limited and needs to be tested in different countries and cultures. Originality/value This research provides several key contributions to the understanding of compulsive buying behavior among Gen Z, particularly within the context of a developing country. By integrating the stimulus-organism-response framework and psychological theories, this study offers a nuanced understanding of how social media addiction influences emotional and behavioral outcomes. Previous studies have primarily focused on these variables in isolation. The study fills this gap by demonstrating the sequential pathway through which social media addiction translates into compulsive buying behavior via brand love and brand addiction.

Exploring the Role of Sustainable Development Goals in Enhancing Courage, Proactive Career Behaviors, and Life Satisfaction.

Understanding the current challenges addressed in the goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda can influence career choices, encouraging individuals to pursue careers that contribute positively to addressing them. This study examines the association between the propensity to consider the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in relation to future educational and career paths, courage, proactive career behaviors and life satisfaction, and the mediating role of courage and proactive career behaviors on the association between the propensity to consider the SDGs in relation to future educational and career paths and life satisfaction. The study sample consisted of 314 Italian university students. The serial multiple mediation model was used to examine the direct, indirect, and total effects. The results showed that the propensity to consider SDGs in relation to future educational and career paths, through courage and proactive career behaviors, has a positive impact on life satisfaction. The findings of this study have led to several actionable policy recommendations. These advocate for the integration of activities related to modules on the SDGs into their curricula. In addition, practical implications for career guidance interventions are proposed to consider the role of the SDGs in future career planning.

Adverse childhood experiences and short-form video addiction: A serial mediation model of resilience and life satisfaction

This cross-sectional study explored the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Short-form Video Addiction (SVA) and investigated the potential mediating roles of resilience and life satisfaction. Participants comprised 11425 Chinese college students (Mage = 20.31; 47.72% female). We employed multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the ACEs1-SVA2 connection and constructed a structural equation model to analyze the relationships among the variables. First, the multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant increase in the likelihood of SVA2 as the number of ACEs1 increased (OR: 2.40, 95% CI: 2.001–2.888; OR: 4.68, 95% CI: 3.467–6.325). A strong linear association was observed between child abuse/neglect, violence outside the family, and SVA (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.388–1.604; OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.170–1.449). Furthermore, significant differences were found based on sex (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.345–1.595), grade (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.509–2.367), and major (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.266–1.699). Second, the serial mediation model suggested that resilience and life satisfaction may serially mediate the relationship between ACEs1 and SVA2 (β = 0.009, SE = 0.001, 95% CI [0.006, 0.011]). These findings imply that promoting resilience and life satisfaction might mitigate the impact of ACEs1 on SVA2. Finally, we discuss the practical implications and limitations of the study.

BEYOND THE SCREEN: HOW VIRTUAL REALITY SHAPES SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOURS IN ECOTOURISM THROUGH USES AND GRATIFICATIONS THEORY

This study examines the relationships between ascribed responsibility, uses and gratifications, behavioural involvement, and visit intentions among Sicilian tourists using virtual reality (VR) to explore Romanian rural ecotourism destinations. Utilizing the Uses and Gratifications theory, it investigates how VR content's informativeness, playfulness, and social interactivity impact user engagement and behavioural intentions. Findings reveal that higher ascribed responsibility enhances gratifications from VR experiences, which increases behavioural involvement, essential for ecotourism. However, ascribed responsibility alone does not directly influence visit intentions, indicating the role of additional factors. A significant contribution of this research is the identification of a serial mediation model where uses and gratifications and behavioural involvement totally mediate the ascribed responsibility-visit intention relationship. This model highlights the complex interplay between cognitive, affective, and behavioural responses, demonstrating that ascribed responsibility enhances uses and gratifications, leading to increased behavioural involvement and, ultimately, visit intentions. The study extends the Uses and Gratifications theory into VR and ecotourism, emphasizing environmental responsibility in media engagement. Practical implications include strategies for tourism marketers to foster environmental responsibility and for VR developers to create engaging, informative, and interactive experiences. Policymakers can use these insights to promote sustainable tourism through supportive VR content development.

Mechanisms Linking Social Media Use and Sleep in Emerging Adults in the United States.

Social media use is associated with poor sleep outcomes. We aimed to extend previous research by examining how measures of social media use would affect two sleep characteristics: sleep quality and insomnia symptoms. In addition, we tested a serial mediation model linking social media use to sleep through increases in negative social comparison and pre-sleep cognitive arousal. Participants were 830 emerging adults (ages 18-30) who were recruited for an online survey study in February 2024. The sample was 63.1% female, with an average age of 24. We examined three measures of social media use: duration (minutes of daily use), frequency (number of weekly visits to social media platforms), and emotional investment (attachment to and integration of social media into daily life). Consistent with our hypothesis, greater emotional investment in social media and more frequent social media use were associated with poorer sleep quality and greater insomnia severity. We also found evidence supporting our hypothesized serial mediation model: emotional investment in social media and more frequent social media use were associated with increased negative social comparison, which subsequently increased pre-sleep cognitive arousal, which then led to poorer sleep outcomes. Our findings suggest that negative social comparison and pre-sleep cognitive arousal are important mechanisms linking social media use to poor sleep outcomes. Future studies should aim to test this serial mediation model using longitudinal data and experimental methods.

Child-To-Parent Violence and Parental Psychological Disorders: Serial Multiple Mediation of Social Support, Self-Efficacy and Emotional Dysregulation

ABSTRACT Research about child-to-parent violence (CPV) has increased significantly, although studies from a parental perspective are scarce. Parents describe a lack of social support and psychological distress in the context of CPV. This study explores the mediating roles of social support, self-efficacy and emotional dysregulation in the relationship between CPV and psychological disorders in a sample of 1017 Spanish parents. A serial mediation model was conducted. Social support played a serial mediator role, followed by self-efficacy and emotional dysregulation, in the relationship between CPV and psychological disorders. The results highlight the need to intervene with parents to prevent or mitigate the psychosocial impact of CPV.

Examining Buyers’ Attitudes Toward Climate Change Policy and Their firms’ Corporate Reputation: The Serial Mediation Effect of Suppliers’ Engagement and Commitment

ABSTRACT Purpose Given the dangers of climate change, a nascent body of research emphasises the significance of business-to-business (B2B) firms’ views on implementing climate change policies (CCP) and its links to corporate reputation. Firms are implementing CCP, but face a range of challenges from various stakeholders. We examine the importance of buyers’ attitudes toward CCP implementation as a driver of corporate reputation using legitimacy theory as a theoretical lens. Design/methodology/approach A serial mediation model considering the engagement and commitment of suppliers was explored to assess the proposed relationship. In a two-stage quantitative research design executed in India, data was collected from 109 buyers from B2B firms to refine the measurement scales and then from 503 buyers from B2B firms to test the research model. Findings Using SPSS macro-PROCESS (Model-6), we found both the engagement and commitment of suppliers to be independent mediators of the relationship between the buyers’ attitude toward CCP implementation and their firms’ corporate reputation. Moreover, the engagement and commitment of suppliers toward CCP implementation partially mediated this relationship serially. Policy implications are presented that can be useful in developing corporate strategies to reduce environmental risks and improve the company’s reputation, bringing more business in the long run. Originality/value The study is significant as we conducted it when the United Nations called on all organizations to participate in the Race to Zero, intending to build sustainable businesses. This study contributes original value by demonstrating how buyer attitudes toward CCP implementation, mediated by supplier engagement and commitment, significantly influence corporate reputation, thereby offering actionable insights for developing sustainability strategies in B2B contexts.

Employees’ Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Work Climate and Job Stress

(1) Background: This study examines the mediating roles of work climate and perceived job stress on the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and job satisfaction using a serial mediation model in a sample of employees. Although EI is known to influence several organizational outcomes, its interaction with work climate and job stress is less well understood. (2) Methods: The PROCESS macro (Model 6) v4.2 by Hayes was employed to test the multiple mediating effects of work climate and perceived job stress on the relationship between emotional intelligence and job satisfaction. (3) Results: The results indicate that higher EI is associated with a more positive work climate, higher job satisfaction, and lower perceived job stress. Work climate and job stress mediate the relationship between EI and job satisfaction. Specifically, EI improves job satisfaction both directly and indirectly by increasing positive work climate and decreasing job stress. (4) Conclusions: These findings highlight the critical role of EI in creating a supportive work environment and improving employee well-being.

Delay Discounting and BMI in Hypertensives: Serial Mediations of Self-Efficacy, Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior.

Our study aimed to examine the association between delay discounting (DD) and body mass index (BMI) in individuals with hypertension. Additionally, we sought to explore and compare the potential mediating effects of self-efficacy, physical activity and sedentary behavior in this association. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two cities in the Jiangsu province of China, specifically Nanjing and Yangzhou, from March to June 2023. A total of 972 hypertensive patients completed the questionnaire (M age = 64.7 years, SD age = 8.2 years, 54.2% female). Participants engaged in a money choice experiment on computers, provided their height and weight, and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The experimental program was generated using the programming software E-Prime version 2.0. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to identify potential covariates. Two serial mediation models were conducted using PROCESS macro 4.1 in SPSS 27.0. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were designated as M2 to investigate and contrast their respective mediating effects in the association between delay discounting and body mass index. Self-efficacy, physical activity, and sedentary behavior served as mediators in the relationship between delay discounting and BMI. Self-efficacy accounted for 14.9% and 14.3% of the total effect in Models 1 and 2, respectively, while physical activity and sedentary behavior each accounted for 14.9% and 9.5% of the total effect, respectively. The serial mediation effects of self-efficacy and physical activity, as well as self-efficacy and sedentary behavior, were significant (B = 0.01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.02]; B = 0.01, 95% CI [0.002, 0.01]), collectively contributing 2.1% and 2.4% of the total effect. Sedentary behavior played a smaller mediating role compared to physical activity in this association. The results indicated that self-efficacy, physical activity and sedentary behavior could act as mediators in the association between delay discounting and BMI, thus potentially mitigating the risk of obesity in hypertensive individuals.

How does green finance affect human well-being in the context of aging populations? Evidences from China

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of green finance on human well-being in China in the context of urbanization and aging population. It aims to explore the contributions of green finance in such demographic scenarios. Design/methodology/approach This study innovates and optimizes the calculation of the carbon intensity of human well-being (CIWB) index and strengthens the integrity of the assessment model for green finance development. It uses the serial multiple mediator model and moderation effect analysis to address the impact of green finance on human well-being in China on the provincial level from 2009 to 2020. Findings Green finance has a significant, positive and direct impact on human well-being. Simultaneously, it influences human well-being indirectly through three transmission channels. Urbanization and an ageing population are significant individual mediators through which green finance contributes to human well-being improvement. Notably, these two mediators also work together to transfer the promotional impact of green finance to human well-being. Practical implications The government can perfect the regulations to strengthen the market ecosystem to accelerate the development of green finance. Reforms on the administrative division to expand the size of cities with the implementation of ageing friendly development strategy is also necessary. Attracting incoming foreign direct investment in sustainable projects and adjusting public projects and trade activities to fulfil the sustainable principles are also regarded as essential. Social implications The findings challenge traditional views on the impact of aging populations, highlighting the beneficial role of green finance in improving well-being amidst demographic changes. This offers a new perspective on economic and environmental sustainability in aging societies. Originality/value A multi-dimensional well-being indicator, CIWB and the serial multiple mediator model are used and direct and indirect impacts of green finance on human well-being is exhibited. It offers novel insights on the transmission channels behind, identifies the mediating role of urbanization and ageing population and offers empirical evidences with strong academic and policy implications.

The association between diet and sleep with internalising symptoms in young athletes: a serial multiple mediation models.

Athletes frequently experience anxiety and depression at rates similar to or higher than non-athletes. A balanced diet can alleviate athletes internalizing symptoms. Moreover, diet and sleep are all associated with internalising symptoms. Our study investigates how sleep quality mediates the impact of dietary habits on internalizing symptoms in athletes. The current cross-sectional study involved 758 Chinese young athletes. The adapted Australian Athletes Diet Index was used to assess dietary patterns, and sleep was measured using the Athletes Sleep Screening Questionnaire. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7 scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale were used to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis was used to examine the mediating role of sleep quality in young athletes. Raw scores of chronotypes, sleep quality, anxiety and depression were calculated for the statistical analysis. No significant indirect effects were found in adolescents. In adult athletes, diet mediated the relationship between chronotype and sleep quality (β = -0.028, p < 0.001). Sleep quality mediated the association between diet and anxiety (β = -0.060, p = 0.001), and depression (β = -0.076, p = 0.001). Additionally, diet and sleep quality mediated the association between chronotypes and anxiety (β = -0.028, p = 0.001), and depression (β = -0.028, p = 0.001). Sleep quality mediated the relationship between dietary patterns and internalising symptoms in young adult athletes. Additionally, diet and sleep quality mediated the association between chronotypes and internalising symptoms in young adult athletes.

The multiple mediation impact of adolescents' physical fitness and cognitive perceptions on their objective measures – The Cogni-Action Project

ObjectiveTo establish whether physical fitness and cognitive self-perceptions act as mediators in the link between global fitness and cognitive performance measured objectively in adolescents. We also compared differences across sex. MethodsA total of 1296 adolescents (50 % girls) from grades 5 to 8 (ages 10–14) participated in this cross-sectional study. The ALPHA-fitness test battery assessed physical fitness, comprising cardiorespiratory, speed-agility, and muscular fitness components. We used the 1–5-point International Fitness Scale for physical fitness self-perception, and the 1–10 scale for cognitive performance self-perception. Objective cognitive performance was assessed using a neurocognitive battery consisting of eight tasks. Using principal component analysis, these tasks were grouped into three domains: attention, working memory, and problem solving. We examined three serial mediation models adjusted for sex, standardized body mass index, maturation, and school vulnerability index. ResultsPhysical fitness and cognitive self-perceptions mediated the effects on attention (B = .0027, CI = .0011 to .0047), memory (B = .0025; CI = .0003 to .0055 and B = .0035; CI = .0009 to .0063), and problem-solving (B = −.0137; CI = −.0231 to −.0052 and B = .0072; CI = .0043 to .0106). By sex, boys showed mediation in all domains, while girls only showed mediation in problem-solving. ConclusionsAdolescents' perceptions play a crucial and positive mediating role in linking objective measures of physical fitness to cognitive performance outcomes, particularly when self-perceptions of physical fitness and cognition are considered together. Therefore, educating families and school/health environments about the importance of adolescent perceptions, while fostering self-awareness and reinforcing their capabilities, is essential.

Materialistic happiness is negatively associated with meaning in life: Aserial double mediation model.

Materialism refers to values that equate materialistic possessions with happiness and success. Gathering materialistic possessions is also central to materialists' life. Extant research has widely shown that materialism is detrimental to people's well-being, but its influences on meaning in life are less clear. In this article, we address two principal research questions within the framework of self-determination theory: First, we explore the association between varying dimensions of materialism and the perceived meaning in life; second, we investigate the factors that mediate the relationship between materialistic values and meaning in life. Two cross-sectional online survey studies (Study 1: 190 Chinese participants; Study 2: 767 participants [mainly Caucasians] from Prolific) were conducted to test a hypothesized serial double mediation model, in which basic psychological needs satisfaction and subjective well-being were the two serial factors mediating the materialistic happiness to meaning in life relationship. Among the three materialism values, only materialistic happiness was negatively associated with meaning in life. Basic psychological needs satisfaction and subjective well-being serially mediated the relationship. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.

Focused, Flourishing, but Not in Flow: Achievement Strivers’ Experiences of Competence, Flow, and Well-Being During Personally Expressive Activities

One effective route to increasing well-being is through the pursuit of activities which suit a person’s personality strengths (i.e., person-activity fit). People who strive for achievement tend to organize their behaviors in ways that promote goal attainment and well-being. We tested the hypothesized process that achievement striving would lead to increased well-being over time through feelings of competence and flow. A secondary aim was to describe the types of personally valued activities and whether activity type facilitates competence and flow. Undergraduate students (N = 346 at Time 1; N = 244 at Time 2) completed an online survey measuring personality, personally expressive activities, basic psychological need satisfaction, flow, and well-being at two timepoints ~ 4 months apart. Two coders thematically coded activities into seven types (e.g., reading and writing, hobbies). We used cross-sectional and longitudinal serial mediation models to test our hypothesis with eudaimonic (life worth) and hedonic (life satisfaction) well-being, controlling for sample characteristics (recruitment source and term). Achievement striving was positively correlated to competence and well-being, but the indirect effects did not show that well-being is boosted by feeling competent and in flow during in personally expressive activities, cross-sectionally or longitudinally. Perceived competence was comparable across activity types, although flow was highest in reading and writing activities. While achievement strivers tended to feel happy and competent at personally expressive activities, the mechanistic pathway to well-being is not yet clear. Future studies might recruit larger sample sizes and utilize smaller time lags (e.g., ecological momentary assessment).

Exploring the Impact of Mindful Leadership on Employee Green Creativity in Manufacturing Firms: A Social Information Processing Perspective.

Increasingly, manufacturing enterprises are compelled to pursue innovative solutions to environmental issues. Addressing such issues requires mindful leadership to support employees and organizations in maintaining awareness during complex situations, which then promotes environmental sustainability. Drawing on social information processing theory, this study theorizes and tests the relationships between mindful leadership, employee moral reflectiveness, environmental passion, and employee green creativity. To test the model, we utilize a two-wave multisource dataset comprising 215 workers from manufacturing firms in China. The findings demonstrate that mindful leadership has a positive relationship with employee green creativity. Additionally, our research reveals that both moral reflectiveness and environmental passion serve as mediators in linking mindful leadership to employee green creativity. Crucially, our empirical analysis suggests a serial mediation model, examining the sequential role of moral reflectiveness and environmental passion in the relationship between mindful leadership and employee green creativity. The findings provide a new viewpoint on employees' eco-friendly behaviors and have practical implications for improving environmental sustainability within organizations.

Physical activity and social anxiety symptoms among Chinese college students: a serial mediation model of psychological resilience and sleep problems

BackgroundSocial anxiety symptoms are common and harmful psychological illness in college students. Although some studies have illustrated that physical activity could reduce social anxiety symptoms, the specific mechanism is still unclear. Based on theoretical studies on resilience and sleep, this study constructed a serial mediation model to explore whether they mediate between physical activity and social anxiety symptoms among college students.MethodsThis study surveyed 9,530 college students from three colleges in China to explore the mediating effect of physical activity and sleep problems between physical activity and social anxiety symptoms. Participants were investigated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Sleep-related problems, and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and the Social Phobia Scale. Correlations between variables were analysed using Pearson correlation analysis and mediation analyses were performed using SPSS PROCESS macro 3.3 software.ResultThe study found that physical activity was negatively associated with social anxiety symptoms and sleep problems, but positively with psychological resilience. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, physical activity can not only indirectly alleviate social anxiety symptoms through the separate mediation of psychological resilience and sleep problems, but also through the serial mediation of psychological resilience and sleep problems.ConclusionThese results suggest that improving physical activity levels could reduce social anxiety scores by increasing psychological resilience and sleep quality. This is of great reference significance for the prevention and intervention of college students’ mental health.

The relationship between perceived social support, coping style, and the quality of life and psychological state of lung cancer patients

BackgroundLung cancer has always a cancer that threatens human health. Quality of life also has been an important research topic. psychological state in patients can influence their quality of life, and perceived social support and coping styles are relevant facilitators of Quality of life, but this specific relationship has not been adequately studied. The purpose of this study is focus on discussing the correlation of these four and understanding their potential mediating pathways.Materials and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study. A total of 300 Lung Cancer patients from a cancer hospital in Suzhou were surveyed. The Data was collected using the scales. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software.ResultsThe study revealed a significant serial mediation model between perceived social support and coping style: Psychological state regulates patients’ coping styles by influencing their perceived social support which ultimately has comprehensive impacts on their quality of life.ConclusionBased on the empirical results discussed, this study proposes the following suggestion: Provide good online support to form a related social media intervention matrix. meanwhile, expand the patients’ social network offline, provide channels for patients to express their troubles outwardly, and regularly assess the patients’ psychological status to improve their level of psychosocial adaptation. This will in turn enhance their negative coping strategies towards the disease and strengthen their ability to buffer against it, ultimately promoting a better quality of life for the patients.

The mediating role of mindfulness and emotion regulation in the relationship between teacher self-compassion and work engagement among EFL teachers: A serial mediation model

This study investigates the role of self-compassion in fostering work engagement among English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers, employing a serial mediation model that incorporates mindfulness and emotion regulation as potential mediating variables. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the researchers examined self-reported data from 322 EFL teachers in Iran. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy, reaching out to directors of private language institutes across various districts who then distributed the survey to their teachers. Standardized measures were used to assess self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness, and emotion regulation strategies. The findings provide robust support for the hypothesized model, revealing a significant positive association between self-compassion and work engagement, partially mediated by both mindfulness and emotion regulation. These results suggest that cultivating self-compassion among EFL teachers may be a valuable strategy to enhance their overall well-being and promote a more engaged and fulfilling work experience. The study contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding teacher well-being and offers practical implications for the development of interventions targeting self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotion regulation within educational settings.

Relationship of positive valence WOM and customer loyalty in social media: trust, value co-creation, and brand image as mediators

&lt;p&gt;In the midst of increasingly tight business competition, with numerous imitations of business ideas and solutions, competitive advantage alone is not sufficient to maintain customer loyalty. Considering the importance of maintaining customer loyalty, this study aims to analyze the relationship between positive valence WOM (PVWOM) and customer loyalty, with mediating factors such as trust, value co-creation, and brand image. This research is expected to contribute to theoretical understanding of the variables under study and provide managerial implications to organizations in various industry sectors. It is also hoped to strengthen our understanding of PVWOM in social media, assist marketers in gaining insights into the factors influencing the relationship between PVWOM and customers on social media, and aid them in designing digital marketing strategies. This research involves 4 schools in Kabupaten Bekasi with a total of 210 respondents over three months. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Model (SEM) AMOS. The results show a positive relationship between PVWOM and customer loyalty, with trust, value co-creation, and brand image partially mediating this relationship. Additionally, the research findings support a serial mediation model where PVWOM influences loyalty through trust and value co-creation sequentially. Managerial implications applicable to the education sector include the notion that a good level of positive valence WOM will enhance proactive attitudes in teaching and learning activities, as well as foster collaborative knowledge creation. Current conditions urge educational institutions to innovate information and communication technology in every teaching and learning activity. Positive valence WOM can be enhanced through social networks interacting to obtain innovative ideas and insights from their customers. If educational institution customers can actively participate in decision-making, then positive valence WOM can be leveraged to impact management within educational institutions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;