Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Socioenvironmental experiences, self-esteem, and emotional/behavioral problems in early adolescence
D L DuBois1, R D Felner, M D Sherman
1Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211.
Abstract:
Tested the role of self-esteem as a mediator of relationships between socio-environmental experiences and emotional/behavioral problems using a sample of 215 young adolescents (Grades 7-9). Socioenvironmental experiences were assessed using self-report questionnaire measures of social support and major and minor stressful events. Self-esteem was assessed using a self-report questionnaire, an interview, and a parent-report questionnaire. Emotional/behavioral problems were assessed using self-report, parent-report and teacher-report questionnaires. Utilizing structural equation modeling, the data were used to test a model in which self-esteem mediated the relationship between socioenvironmental experiences and emotional/behavioral problems. The hypothesized model provided a reasonably good fit to the data (normed fit index = .90). However, an alternative model which also allowed for direct effects of socioenvironmental experiences on emotional/behavioral problems produced a significant improvement in model fit. In this model, socio-environmental experiences had significant effects on emotional problems via both direct effects and indirect effects that indicated a mediating role for self-esteem. Only direct effects of socioenvironmental experiences were evident for behavioral problems.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood
The first four of Erikson's eight psychosocial stages...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience

