Cultural Values, SES, and Peer and Parental Influence on College Students’ Happiness and Grit-Perseverance

Kitayama and Markus (2000) suggest that comparing cultural values elucidates the hidden assumptions, premises, and narratives that influence people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. The individualism-collectivism dimension has been one of the most coherent and empirically tested theoretical constructs of cultural values (Kim, Triandis, Kagitcibasi, Choi, & Yoon, 1994). Individualism and collectivism can emphasize equality (termed “horizontal”) or hierarchy (termed “vertical”; Triandis & Gelfand; 1998). Those high in individualism can desire to be unique but not of higher status than others (e.g., horizontal individualism) or want to be unique and superior to others (e.g., vertical individualism). Those high in collectivism can emphasize the goals of the group and easily go along with decisions of those in power (e.g., horizontal collectivism) or be attuned to the group, but not easily submit to authority (e.g., vertical collectivism; Triandis & Gelfand, 1998). In this research, the four dimensions of cultural values, SES (objective and subjective), and parental and peer influence were explored in relation to two important outcomes for college students: happiness and grit-perseverance.

Two multiple regression analyses were used to test the research questions. The results of the first regression indicated the predictors explained 27.5% of the variance (R2 = .29, F(8, 307) = 15.91, p < .001). Horizontal Collectivism (β = .33, p < .001), Vertical Collectivism (β = .14, p < .05), Subjective SES (β = .19, p < .001), and Peer Influence (β = .13, p < .05) exhibited positive associations with Happiness. For the Grit-Perseverance model, the predictors explained 10% of the variance (R2 = .12, F(8, 307) = 5.42, p < .001). Horizontal Individualism (β = .11, p = .05), Horizontal Collectivism (β = .18, p< .01), and Subjective SES (β = -.12, p = .05) were significant predictors of Grit-Perseverance. Potential explanations and implications of these results are discussed.