Kindness is linked to social self-efficacy among high-ability girls: A cross-lagged panel study

Abstract

Existing literature has shown that kindness matters for well-being. Although prior studies demonstrated gender differences in how kindness relates to well-being–with females receiving greater benefits than males–, there is scant evidence of the link of kindness to life satisfaction over time, especially in gifted and high-ability student populations. This study examined the associations among kindness, social self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among high-ability adolescent girls via a two-wave cross-lagged panel design. Results of a cross-lagged panel structural equation modeling demonstrated that Time 1 kindness was linked to higher Time 2 social self-efficacy. Time 1 life satisfaction was associated with greater Time 2 social self-efficacy. However, Time 1 kindness did not predict Time 2 life satisfaction. This research suggests that kindness can serve as a potential pathway to greater confidence in establishing and maintaining relationships among girls with high academic abilities.