Gilbert William, Eltanoukhi Rayana, Morin Alexandre J S, Salmela-Aro Katariina
Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, QC, Canada.
Substantive-Methodological Synergy Research Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
J Youth Adolesc. 2025 Jan;54(1):103-120. doi: 10.1007/s10964-024-02045-z. Epub 2024 Jul 4.
Numerous studies have sought to determine whether low self-esteem acts as a risk factor for depressive symptoms (i.e., a vulnerability model) or whether depressive symptoms lead to a decrease in self-esteem (i.e., a scar model). Although both models have received some support, very little research has: (a) addressed this question across critical life transitions likely to modify this pattern of associations, such as the transition to adulthood; (b) sought to identify the psychological mechanisms (i.e., mediators) underpinning these associations. The present study was designed to address these two limitations, focusing on the directionality of the associations between depressive symptoms and self-esteem from mid-adolescence to early adulthood while considering the role of motivational factors, namely mastery (intrinsic/extrinsic) and performance (approach/avoidance) goals as conceptualized in achievement goal theory. A sample of 707 Finnish adolescents aged 15-16 (52.1% boys) was surveyed six times up to the age of 25. Results from a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) revealed that depressed individuals were more likely to have low self-esteem, although self-esteem protected against depressive symptoms between ages 16-17 to 20-21. Moreover, while self-esteem promoted mastery-extrinsic goals which in turn reinforced self-esteem, depressive symptoms promoted performance-avoidance goals which led to more depressive symptoms and lower self-esteem. Overall, these findings highlight (1) the long-lasting negative consequences of depressive symptoms on self-esteem and (2) the crucial role played by academic motivation in explaining the development of depressive symptoms and self-esteem over time. In turn, these results help refine the vulnerability and scar models, and suggest that motivational factors should be considered in prevention and intervention efforts among young populations.
众多研究试图确定低自尊是否是抑郁症状的一个风险因素（即易感性模型），或者抑郁症状是否会导致自尊下降（即疤痕模型）。尽管这两种模型都得到了一些支持，但很少有研究：(a) 在可能改变这种关联模式的关键人生转折（如向成年期的转变）中探讨这个问题；(b) 试图识别这些关联背后的心理机制（即中介因素）。本研究旨在解决这两个局限性，重点关注从青少年中期到成年早期抑郁症状与自尊之间关联的方向性，同时考虑动机因素的作用，即成就目标理论中所概念化的掌握（内在/外在）和成绩（趋近/回避）目标。对707名年龄在15 - 16岁的芬兰青少年（52.1%为男孩）进行了调查，直到他们25岁，共进行了六次。交叉滞后面板模型（CLPM）的结果显示，抑郁的个体更有可能自尊较低，尽管在16 - 17岁至20 - 21岁之间自尊能预防抑郁症状。此外，自尊促进了外在掌握目标，这反过来又增强了自尊，而抑郁症状促进了成绩回避目标，这导致了更多的抑郁症状和更低的自尊。总体而言，这些发现突出了(1) 抑郁症状对自尊的长期负面影响，以及(2) 学业动机在解释抑郁症状和自尊随时间发展方面所起的关键作用。相应地，这些结果有助于完善易感性和疤痕模型，并表明在针对年轻人群的预防和干预工作中应考虑动机因素。
