Naslov
Adolescent appraisals of family security as a mediator of the effect of family instability on adolescent self-esteem

Autori
Merkaš, Marina

Izvornik
Društvena istraživanja : časopis za opća društvena pitanja (1330-0288) 23 (2014), 1; 47-66

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
family instability ; security in the family system ; self-esteem ; adolescence

Sažetak
The aim of this two-wave study was to examine the mediating role of adolescent appraisals of family security in the relation between family instability and adolescent self-esteem in a sample of 377 adolescents and their mothers. Mothers’ reports of family instability at Time 1 were significantly and positively associated with adolescent appraisals of family insecurity at Time 1 and Time 2. Adolescent self-esteem at Time 2 was significantly and negatively related to family instability at T1 and family insecurity at Time 1 and Time 2. Findings from structural equation models supported the hypothesis that family instability undermines adolescents’ self-esteem one year later by directly threatening adolescents’ appraisals of family as a safe and secure system. The results indicated that adolescent appraisals fully mediated the relation between family instability and adolescent self-esteem. The implications of the findings for adolescent development in secure and stable family environment are discussed and suggestions for further process-oriented research on the relation between family instability and adolescent development are stated.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA