This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of life satisfaction in the relationship between hope and internalizing/externalizing behaviors among a sample of 1170 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 14.80 ± 1.76 years, 46.24% boys). Through the use of structural equation modeling (SEM), the study revealed a negative association between hope and internalizing/externalizing behaviors. Furthermore, the findings indicated that life satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between hope and internalizing/externalizing behaviors. The findings highlight the significance of hope and life satisfaction as protective factors in reducing internalizing/externalizing behaviors among adolescents. These results also contribute to the existing research on the role of hope and emphasize the importance of fostering hope and enhancing life satisfaction in prevention and intervention programs targeting adolescent internalizing/externalizing behaviors.
Keywords: Adolescent; externalizing behaviors; hope; internalizing behaviors; life satisfaction.