A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry investigated the relationship between perceived social support and mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual adolescents. The researchers surveyed 246 LGBTQIA+ youth aged 13 to 24 years from around the world and found that those who reported high levels of social support were less likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than their peers who reported low levels of social support. This suggests that social support may play an important role in protecting the mental health of marginalized adolescents.
Another study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that while perceived social support was associated with lower levels of emotional distress in LGBTQIA+ youth, it did not fully mediate the association between self-esteem and emotional outcomes. In other words, even when controlling for perceived social support, self-esteem still had a significant impact on emotional outcomes like depression, anxiety, and suicide risk. This suggests that self-esteem may be an important factor in the development of resilience and well-being among these marginalized groups.
One possible explanation for this finding is that self-esteem plays a unique role in helping individuals cope with stigma and discrimination. Marginalized individuals may experience greater feelings of rejection, shame, and isolation due to societal prejudice, which can lead to negative self-perceptions and decreased self-worth.
Having strong self-esteem allows individuals to resist these messages and maintain a positive view of themselves despite external pressures. As such, fostering self-esteem may be an essential component of supporting the mental health of marginalized adolescents.
Further research has shown that high levels of self-esteem are also related to better psychological adjustment and fewer behavioral problems among minority adolescents. A study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence analyzed data from over 600 African American, Latino, Asian American, and Caucasian students and found that higher self-esteem was associated with less delinquency and aggression across all racial/ethnic groups. Another study published in the Journal of Early Adolescence investigated the relationship between self-esteem and academic achievement among African American youth and found that higher self-esteem was associated with better grades and more positive attitudes toward school. These findings suggest that self-esteem may play a critical role in promoting resilience and success for marginalized adolescents.
How does the development of self-esteem mediate emotional outcomes in marginalized adolescents?
Self-esteem is an important factor that affects emotional wellbeing for all individuals. For marginalized adolescents specifically, low levels of self-esteem can lead to negative emotional outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. According to research, these youth often face unique challenges that impact their sense of identity, belongingness, and worthiness, which can contribute to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation.