Effects of Feelings of Inadequacy on Life Events, Social Avoidance and Distress Among Impoverished Undergraduates

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between life events, social avoidance and distress as well as the feelings of inadequacy among impoverished undergraduates. 766 impoverished undergraduate participants undertook Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Scale (ASLEC), Social Avoidance and Distress Scale (SADS) and Feeling of Inadequacy Scale (FIS) in this study. Findings revealed that (1) Life events, social avoidance and distress as well as the feelings of inadequacy were significantly correlated, (2) feelings of inadequacy has a complete mediating effect on life events as well as social avoidance and distress. Life events show no direct causation of social avoidance and distress. Rather, it is through the feelings of inadequacy that can significantly predict the effects of life events on social avoidance and distress among impoverished undergraduates.