The impact of art and design competencies on positive psychological qualities among college students in Hainan Province: The chain mediating roles of teacher support and learning adaptability

Research objective: Early adulthood students are at the peak of their rapid psychological development and face an important transition from "mere cognition" to "social cognition" and experiences or guidance during this period are particularly important for psychological quality. From a positive psychology perspective, this study examines the impact of art and design competencies in college students on their positive psychological qualities and analyzes the mediating roles of teacher support and learning adaptability.

Methods: Using the Art and Design Competencies Scale for College Students, the Chinese College Students' Positive Psychological Qualities Scale, the Learning Adaptability Scale, and the Teacher Support Scale, a survey was conducted among 950 college students majoring in art.

Results: (1) Art and design competencies significantly predicts both teacher support and learning adaptability (p < 0.01). Art and design competencies, teacher support, and learning adaptability can also simultaneously predict positive psychological qualities significantly (p < 0.01). (2) Teacher support has a mediating effect between art and design competencies and positive psychological qualities, with an effect ratio of 17.35 %. (3) Learning adaptability has a mediating effect between art and design competencies and positive psychological qualities, with an effect ratio of 4.89 %. (4) Both teacher support and learning adaptability mediate the relationship between art and design competencies and positive psychological qualities with a combined effect ratio of 22.02 %.

Findings: College students' art and design competencies not only directly influences their positive psychological qualities but also indirectly affects them through the mediating roles of teacher support and learning adaptability. These findings highlight the critical role of art and design education in fostering students' psychological well-being and resilience. By enhancing teacher support and learning adaptability, educational institutions can better prepare students to face the challenges of early adulthood, contributing to their overall development and success. At the same time, the research informs the optimization plan for the art and design program.