Self-esteem in the adaptation of Spanish-speaking adolescents: The role of immigration, family conflict, and depression

Abstract

A cultural context model was employed in studying self-esteem group differences within a Spanish-speaking sample of adolescents. Acculturation patterns for Spanish-speaking subgroups show differences in the way that they will fit into American society. Depression, parent-child conflict, and discrimination influenced individual self-esteem, along with school achievement and motivation. Regression analyses were employed to partition and study the variance of the above predictors. The cultural contexts of five groups, particularly the role of family in adaptation in different communities, are discussed.