By convenience sampling, 408 college students were investigated with demographic data
questionnaire, general well-being scale, social comparison tendency scale and social appearance
anxiety scale. The influence of social comparison tendency on subjective well-being of college students
was investigated, and the mediating effect of appearance anxiety was explored. The results show that:
(1) College students’ social comparison tendency and appearance anxiety have a negative predictive effect
on subjective well-being; (2) Appearance anxiety plays a fully mediating role between social comparison
tendency and subjective well-being, and social comparison tendency can affect college students’ subjective
well-being by affecting appearance anxiety.