Previous studies have revealed significant
associations between human values and subjective wellbeing.
Using a cross-lagged longitudinal design, the current
study attempted to investigate the directionality of the
relationships of values prevailing in universities (values of
openness to change and self-enhancement) and those prevailing
in Chinese culture (values of conservation and selftranscendence)
with university life satisfaction among a
sample of Hong Kong Chinese university students (59
males and 183 females). Contrary to predictions, the results
show that values of openness to change (self-direction,
stimulation, and hedonism) and self-enhancement
(achievement and power) at Time 1 did not significantly
predict higher university life satisfaction at Time 2, and
Time 1 university life satisfaction did not significantly
predict higher levels of these values at Time 2. As predicted,
it was found that conformity (a conservation value)
and benevolence (a self-transcendence value) at Time 1
significantly predicted higher Time 2 university life satisfaction.
Unexpectedly, Time 1 university life satisfaction
significantly predicted lower Time 2 power (a self-enhancement
value). The results are discussed in terms of the
characteristics of Chinese culture.

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• Human Values and University Life Satisfaction Among Hong Kong Chinese University Students: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis