Abstract
Making a transition into college environment and pursuing happiness and meaning in life is important for college students. Several studies found better adjustment is associated with greater optimism and more social support. This study examined perceived social support (emotional support and informational support) as a mediator between optimism and well-being. Survey data from 381 undergraduate students of two national universities of education in northern and eastern Taiwan were analyzed by using structural equation modeling. Results indicated that perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between optimism and psychological well-being (personal growth and purpose in life) and partially mediated the relationship between optimism and subjective well-being (happiness and life satisfaction). These findings suggest not only that it is important to consider optimism in understanding college students’ well-being but also that perceived social support plays an important role in these relationships. Implications for the more complex relations are discussed for both counseling interventions and further research.