J Adolesc. 2026 Jun 29. doi: 10.1002/jad.70211. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Rooted in Buddhist thought, nonattachment refers to the ability to let go of rigid desires and fixed self-concepts, fostering a balanced and flexible engagement with one’s experiences. The present study examined whether interpersonal harmony moderated the association between nonattachment and general well-being among Chinese junior high school students. Interpersonal harmony was conceptualized as comprising two facets: harmony enhancement (a proactive motivation to cultivate warm and supportive relationships) and disintegration avoidance (a defensive motivation to suppress conflict to maintain surface harmony).
METHODS: A sample of 652 Chinese junior high school students completed the nonattachment scale (NAS), harmony scale, and general well-being scale (GWB). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted with grade and family structure controlled.
RESULTS: The results indicated that nonattachment was positively related to general well-being. Both harmony enhancement and disintegration avoidance showed statistically significant but small moderating effects (ΔR2 = 0.01). Specifically, the positive relationship between nonattachment and well-being was stronger at lower levels of harmony enhancement and disintegration avoidance and weaker at higher levels.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that nonattachment serves as a particularly important intrapersonal resource for adolescents experiencing limited relational harmony. Consistent with a person × context interaction framework, the psychological benefits of nonattachment appear to vary as a function of adolescents’ culturally rooted relational tendencies.
PMID:42367043 | DOI:10.1002/jad.70211
