The effect of self-esteem on depressive symptoms among adolescents: the mediating roles of hope and anxiety

Abstract

Abstract Previous studies have reported low self-esteem contributes to depressive symptoms among adolescents, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine the mediating roles of hope and anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms. 431 adolescents between 13 and 18 years volunteered to complete a battery of questionnaires that included measures on the variables mentioned above. Results found that hope or anxiety mediated the association between self-esteem and female adolescents’ depression, while only anxiety mediated the association between self-esteem and male adolescents’ depression. Our findings highlight different underlying mechanisms between female and male adolescents. In the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms, sound programs should be selected according to the gender characteristics of adolescents.