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<p>Although cross-sectional research links mattering to reduced adolescent loneliness, longitudinal studies examining temporal dynamics and distinctions between analytical levels or mattering dimensions are scarce. Without understanding whether mattering-loneliness associations reflect stable individual differences or dynamic within-person processes, researchers cannot determine if these constructs reciprocally influence each other during adolescence. This study investigated bidirectional relationships between three mattering dimensions (general mattering, anti-mattering, and fear of not mattering) and loneliness at between-person and within-person levels among 1705 Chinese high school students across three time points (49.9% female; <i>M</i> age = 16.55 years, <i>SD</i> = 0.67 at T1). Cross-lagged panel models (CLPM) assessed between-person differences, and random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) isolated within-person fluctuations from stable traits. Between-person analyses showed that adolescents with higher anti-mattering or fear of not mattering than peers experienced increased loneliness over time, and higher loneliness predicted lower general mattering and higher negative mattering, forming reinforcing cycles; general mattering did not predict subsequent changes in loneliness over time. Within-person analyses revealed that spikes in anti-mattering and fear of not mattering above personal baselines predicted increased loneliness, with some evidence of reciprocal effects, though these were inconsistent in sensitivity analyses; general mattering showed no cross-lagged effects in either direction. These findings highlight two intervention targets: addressing chronic loneliness and negative mattering to disrupt stable between-person cycles through long-term programs, and monitoring within-person spikes in negative mattering to prevent short-term loneliness increases via timely supports.</p>

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Longitudinal Associations between Mattering Dimensions and Loneliness in Adolescents: Bidirectional Effects at between- and Within-Person Levels

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年11月19日

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  • Hai-Min Li,
  • Gordon L. Flett,
  • Cui-Hong Cao,
  • Xiao-Ling Liao,
  • Mu-Qi Huang,
  • I-Hua Chen

摘要

Although cross-sectional research links mattering to reduced adolescent loneliness, longitudinal studies examining temporal dynamics and distinctions between analytical levels or mattering dimensions are scarce. Without understanding whether mattering-loneliness associations reflect stable individual differences or dynamic within-person processes, researchers cannot determine if these constructs reciprocally influence each other during adolescence. This study investigated bidirectional relationships between three mattering dimensions (general mattering, anti-mattering, and fear of not mattering) and loneliness at between-person and within-person levels among 1705 Chinese high school students across three time points (49.9% female; M age = 16.55 years, SD = 0.67 at T1). Cross-lagged panel models (CLPM) assessed between-person differences, and random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) isolated within-person fluctuations from stable traits. Between-person analyses showed that adolescents with higher anti-mattering or fear of not mattering than peers experienced increased loneliness over time, and higher loneliness predicted lower general mattering and higher negative mattering, forming reinforcing cycles; general mattering did not predict subsequent changes in loneliness over time. Within-person analyses revealed that spikes in anti-mattering and fear of not mattering above personal baselines predicted increased loneliness, with some evidence of reciprocal effects, though these were inconsistent in sensitivity analyses; general mattering showed no cross-lagged effects in either direction. These findings highlight two intervention targets: addressing chronic loneliness and negative mattering to disrupt stable between-person cycles through long-term programs, and monitoring within-person spikes in negative mattering to prevent short-term loneliness increases via timely supports.