第一吃瓜网

Doctoral Candidate Brochure: Luxin Hu

Doctoral Dissertation Defense
of
Luxin Hu


For the degree of

Doctor of Philosophy
Research, Measurement and Statistics

The Relationship Between Everyday Social Environments and Psychological Well-Being: A Study of a U.S. National Sample Using Structural Equation Model

 

October 16, 2025
10:00 a.m.

Meeting ID: 211 812 906 687 1
Passcode: od7a73QQ

The Relationship Between Everyday Social Environments and Psychological Well-Being: A Study of a U.S. National Sample Using Structural Equation Model

This study aims to explore the association between a comprehensively defined social environment and psychological well-being, particularly among the population of middle age and older adults in the United States. In alignment with Bronfenbrenner鈥檚 Ecological System Theory and the definition of social environment proposed by Barnett and Casper (2001), the social environment includes the home, workplace, and neighborhood environment factors. The social environment factors were measured by Perceived Inequality in Home, Perceived Inequality in Family, Perceived Inequality in Work, and Perceived Neighborhood Quality. The psychological well-being was measured by Ryff鈥檚 Psychological Well-Being scale. 

Data from Midlife Development in the U.S. (MIDUS) was analyzed. The cross-sectional Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to investigate the association between social environment and psychological well-being, and the Bivariate Latent Growth Model (BLGM) was used to examine the longitudinal association between perceived neighborhood quality and psychological well-being. The result of SEM (Manuscript One) suggested that perceptions of inequality in work and family (relation to children), as well as perceived neighborhood quality, were significantly associated with overall psychological well-being. In contrast, perceived inequality in home (relation to other family members) was not significantly associated with psychological well-being. The result of LGM (Manuscript Two) suggested that a higher perceived neighborhood quality initial status was associated with a lower decline in psychological well-being, and individuals with higher initial well-being reported less positive change in neighborhood perception.

第一吃瓜网 the Candidate

Luxin Hu

M.D.S., Digital Sciences
Kent State University, 2017

B.A., Economics
Zhengzhou University, SIAS International University, 2010

Luxin Hu has over ten years of experience in data analytics and statistical analysis. His academic journey began with a master's degree in Digital Sciences at Kent State University and continued into the PhD program in Research, Measurement, and Statistics. His research interests center on quantitative analysis in social science, public health, and education. 

Currently, Luxin serves as a Graduate Assistant at the Office of Research and Evaluation Bureau, where he contributes to survey development, research design, statistical analysis, and consulting. He is eager to apply his statistical expertise across diverse fields to support data-driven decision-making and promote practical solutions to complex challenges.

Doctoral Dissertation Committee

Director

Jian Li, Ph.D.
Professor
Research, Measurement and Statistics
School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

Members

Jason Schenker, Ph.D.
Professor
Research, Measurement and Statistics
School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

Kelly Cichy, Ph.D.
Professor
Human Development and Family Science
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

Jing Zhang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Human Development and Family Science
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

Graduate Faculty Representative

Jacob Barkley, Ph.D.
Professor
Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology
School of Health Sciences