Objective: Self-esteem has been identified as a strong predictor of depression and maladaptive behaviours in adolescents. Two relational models (A and B) were tested on the antecedent and consequent variables of self-esteem. Methods: A representative sample of 610 Spanish adolescents (52% boys) ranging in age from 11 to 16 years of age (mean age = 13.38 years, SD = 1.70 years) was used. The participants completed a battery of instruments measuring self-esteem, self-concept, importance of self-concept domains, depression symptoms, and problem behaviour. Covariance structure analysis (path analysis) from LISREL 8.54 was employed. Results: Model B presented a better fit (χ2 difference (A-B) = 160.29, p < 0.001). Perceived social support (parents and classmates), and perceptions of competence in domains deemed important were positively related to self-esteem. While both self-esteem and social support (parents and classmates) were negatively related to depression symptoms, only social support (parents and teacher) appeared negatively related to behavioural problems. Conclusions: While self-esteem constitutes a strong correlate of affective symptoms in Spanish adolescents, it is unrelated to maladaptive behaviour. Social support emerged as an important protective factor. Concrete proposals for future research and prevention are discussed.

中文翻译：

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青春期抑郁和适应不良行为的社会心理决定因素：两个测试模型。

目的：自尊已被确定为青少年抑郁和适应不良行为的强烈预测指标。在自尊的前因和后因变量上测试了两个关系模型（A和B）。方法：使用610名西班牙青少年（52％的男孩）的代表性样本，年龄在11至16岁之间（平均年龄= 13.38岁，SD = 1.70岁）。参与者完成了一系列测量自尊，自我概念，自我概念领域的重要性，抑郁症状和问题行为的工具。使用来自LISREL 8.54的协方差结构分析（路径分析）。结果：模型B表现出更好的拟合度（χ2差异（AB）= 160.29，p <0.001）。感知的社会支持（父母和同学），在重要领域中的能力感知与自尊成正相关。自尊和社会支持（父母和同学）都与抑郁症状呈负相关，而只有社会支持（父母和老师）与行为问题呈负相关。结论：自尊构成西班牙青少年情感症状的强相关因素，但与不良适应行为无关。社会支持已成为重要的保护因素。讨论了未来研究和预防的具体建议。自尊与西班牙青少年的情感症状密切相关，但与不良适应行为无关。社会支持已成为重要的保护因素。讨论了未来研究和预防的具体建议。自尊与西班牙青少年的情感症状密切相关，但与不良适应行为无关。社会支持已成为重要的保护因素。讨论了未来研究和预防的具体建议。