The Long-term Effects of Self-Esteem on Depression: The Roles of Alcohol and Substance Use During Young Adulthood

2017/06/19 by Kiwoong Park, Tse-Chuan Yang, Tse‐Chuan Yang
Psychology · Medicine · #Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction #Behavioral Health and Interventions #Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

paper · doi:10.1080/00380253.2017.1331718

Abstract

Using the National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth 1979, this study examines the roles of alcohol and substance use as mediators in the mechanism between self-esteem and depression, and investigates whether the mechanism works for both men and women. Results demonstrate that alcohol and substance use during young adulthood mediates the effect of self-esteem on depression among men. Furthermore, self-esteem during young adulthood remains a determinant of high depression in middle adulthood. However, we did not find evidence to support that same mechanism among women. Our findings provide insight into how self-esteem affects depression over the transition from young to middle adulthood, and elucidate potential gendered responsivity to low self-esteem.

Citations

• The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations.
• Gender differences in depression
• USING THE CORRECT STATISTICAL TEST FOR THE EQUALITY OF REGRESSION COEFFICIENTS
• The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations.

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