Jianhua Zhou1,2,3, Xiaoyu Li1,2,3, Lili Tian1,2,3, E Scott Huebner4. 1. School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. 2. Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. 3. Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. 4. Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Although the relation between low self-esteem and depression has been well established, little is known about the possible psychological mechanisms that account for the relation between them. Based on Beck's cognitive theory of depression, the main aim of this study was to explore the notion that rejection sensitivity and loneliness serve as mediators of the relation between low self-esteem and depression among early adolescents. DESIGN: Using a longitudinal design, we evaluated the hypothesized model with a sample of 866 Chinese early adolescents (51% females) between 11 and 15 years old who completed questionnaires on three occasions at 1-year intervals. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling showed that: (1) low self-esteem at Time 1 positively predicted depression at Time 3; (2) rejection sensitivity at Time 2 partially mediated the relation between low self-esteem at Time 1 and depression at Time 3; (3) low self-esteem at Time 1 demonstrated partial indirect effects on depression at Time 3 successively via rejection sensitivity and loneliness at Time 2; and (4) rejection sensitivity predicted an increase in loneliness but not vice versa, and depression accounted for later loneliness, but not for rejection sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between low self-esteem and depression among early adolescents may be explained by rejection sensitivity and loneliness. These results suggest implications for effective interventions for depression in early adolescents. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Low self-esteem is a risk factor for depression in early adolescents, and rejection sensitivity and loneliness help explain the vulnerability model. Implementing empirically based intervention plans to overcome low self-esteem may be helpful in efforts to reduce depression in early adolescents. Effective interventions should likely include efforts to decrease rejection sensitivity and loneliness and their effects, such as training to interpret verbal and behavioural cues in social interactions more accurately and to develop more effective social skills to enhance social confidence.
OBJECTIVES: Although the relation between low self-esteem and depression has been well established, little is known about the possible psychological mechanisms that account for the relation between them. Based on Beck's cognitive theory of depression, the main aim of this study was to explore the notion that rejection sensitivity and loneliness serve as mediators of the relation between low self-esteem and depression among early adolescents. DESIGN: Using a longitudinal design, we evaluated the hypothesized model with a sample of 866 Chinese early adolescents (51% females) between 11 and 15 years old who completed questionnaires on three occasions at 1-year intervals. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling showed that: (1) low self-esteem at Time 1 positively predicted depression at Time 3; (2) rejection sensitivity at Time 2 partially mediated the relation between low self-esteem at Time 1 and depression at Time 3; (3) low self-esteem at Time 1 demonstrated partial indirect effects on depression at Time 3 successively via rejection sensitivity and loneliness at Time 2; and (4) rejection sensitivity predicted an increase in loneliness but not vice versa, and depression accounted for later loneliness, but not for rejection sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: The associations between low self-esteem and depression among early adolescents may be explained by rejection sensitivity and loneliness. These results suggest implications for effective interventions for depression in early adolescents. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Low self-esteem is a risk factor for depression in early adolescents, and rejection sensitivity and loneliness help explain the vulnerability model. Implementing empirically based intervention plans to overcome low self-esteem may be helpful in efforts to reduce depression in early adolescents. Effective interventions should likely include efforts to decrease rejection sensitivity and loneliness and their effects, such as training to interpret verbal and behavioural cues in social interactions more accurately and to develop more effective social skills to enhance social confidence.
Authors: Mucheng Xin; Pei Chen; Qiao Liang; Chengfu Yu; Shuangju Zhen; Wei Zhang Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-03-02 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Peter Šagát; Peter Bartik; Anja Lazić; Dragoș Ioan Tohănean; Vasilios Koronas; Ioan Turcu; Damir Knjaz; Cristina Ioana Alexe; Ioana Maria Curițianu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-07 Impact factor: 3.390