Pathways to self-esteem in late adolescence: the role of parent and peer attachment, empathy, and social behaviours

Deborah J Laible; Gustavo Carlo; Scott C Roesch

doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.05.005

Pathways to self-esteem in late adolescence: the role of parent and peer attachment, empathy, and social behaviours

J Adolesc. 2004 Dec;27(6):703-16. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.05.005.

Authors

Deborah J Laible¹, Gustavo Carlo, Scott C Roesch

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0442, USA. dlaible@mail.smu.edu

PMID: 15561312
DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2004.05.005

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine both the direct and indirect relations of parent and peer attachment with self-esteem and to examine the potential mediating roles of empathy and social behaviour. 246 college students (M age = 18.6 years, S.D. = 1.61) completed self-report measures of parent and peer attachment, empathy, social behaviour, and self-esteem. Structural equation modelling revealed that parental attachment had mostly direct effects on self-esteem. Among females, the links between peer attachment and self-esteem, however, were entirely mediated by empathy and prosocial behaviour. The findings from this study suggest that although close supportive relationships with parents and peers are related to adolescent self-esteem, these links are complex.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Empathy*
Female
Humans
Male
Models, Psychological
Object Attachment
Parents*
Peer Group*
Psychology, Adolescent*
Self Concept
Self-Assessment
Social Behavior*
Social Environment
Students / psychology