Longitudinal Relationship Between Self‐Esteem and Perceived Stress: Evidence From Chinese College Students

As future contributors to innovation and economic growth, college students represent a key investment in national human capital and long‐term development. Perceived stress and self‐esteem are directly linked to healthy growth and human capital accumulation among college students globally. However, existing literature remains unclear about the direction of the relationship between perceived stress and self‐esteem, which leads to a lack of empirical basis for targeted interventions. The present study empirically examines the bidirectional relationship between perceived stress and self‐esteem among Chinese college students (mean age = 21.55 years) using a two‐wave cross‐lagged model. Correlation analysis results indicate a stable and significant negative correlation between perceived stress and self‐esteem. Results of the cross‐lagged model reveal a bidirectional negative predictive relationship between perceived stress and self‐esteem among college students within the context of Chinese educational culture. Higher perceived stress levels among Chinese college students are a significant predictor of subsequent reductions in self‐esteem, while diminished self‐esteem is also a significant predictor of subsequent increases in perceived stress. This deepens the understanding of the relationship between perceived stress and self‐esteem, offering actionable insights for refining educational intervention strategies.