Social Anxiety as a Mediator of the Association Between Adolescents’ Self-esteem and Loneliness
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2020-07-06
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en
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It is known that self-esteem predicts loneliness and social anxiety, and that social anxiety predicts loneliness. Whether social anxiety mediates the relationship between self-esteem and loneliness is unknown. Gender differences were found in social anxiety and self-esteem. This thesis therefore examined the mediating role of social anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and loneliness, and the moderating effect of gender in these associations. This was researched using data from 444 adolescents, 251 male and 193 female. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale), social anxiety (Social Anxiety Scale), and loneliness (Loneliness and Aloneness Scale for Children and Adolescents). It can be concluded from the results that social anxiety significantly reduces the direct effect of self-esteem on loneliness. Gender did not moderate these associations. This can be explained through the fact that females use protective mechanisms to increase self-esteem, and through the measures used.
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen