Perceived stress and creativity: the roles of subjective well-being and depression

Song Zhou, Qingli Guan, Wenbo Zhou () and Tao Jiang ()
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Song Zhou: Fujian Normal University
Qingli Guan: Fujian Normal University
Wenbo Zhou: Beijing Sport University
Tao Jiang: China Foreign Affairs University

Palgrave Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Although numerous researches have explored the effects of perceived stress on health, studies on the cognitive domain, particularly creativity, remain limited. This study employed a cross-sectional research design to investigate 967 participants. Structural equation modeling and network analysis were conducted to explore the effects of perceived stress on creativity and to examine the role of subjective well-being and depression in this relationship. The results showed that perceived stress negatively predicted individuals’ creativity levels. Subjective well-being mediated the relationship between perceived stress and creativity, while depression moderated this relationship. Specifically, perceived stress levels had no effect on creativity among individuals with higher depression. The results of the network analysis revealed that the relationship between perceived stress and creativity differed across levels of depression. At low depression levels, PSS3 exhibited a relatively strong negative connection with PEFCS2, whereas at high depression levels, PSS1 demonstrated a positive association with PEFCS11.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05263-3

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