RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION AMONG HEALTH STUDENTS: A LATENT PROFILE ANALYSIS AND MEDIATOR MODEL TESTING

Objective

Self-esteem, defined as a general evaluation of one’s self-worth, is recognized as a key component of well-being. Low self-esteem can significantly increase the risk of depression, especially under stressful conditions. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and depression and to identify distinct mental health profiles of health students based on their levels of self-esteem, anxiety, and depression using latent profile analysis (LPA).MATERIAL AND

Methods

The study was conducted with 715 health students (77.9% female, 22.1% male), aged between 18 and 28 years (Mage = 20.15, SD = 1.27). Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and LPA.

Results

The results revealed that anxiety partially mediated the association between self-esteem and depression. Additionally, LPA identified three distinct profiles: a “low-symptom" group with low depression and anxiety and relatively high self-esteem, a "moderate-symptom" group with moderate levels of psychological symptoms, and a "high-symptom" group characterized by high depression and anxiety alongside low self-esteem.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that both the structural and profile-based approaches provide complementary insights into the well-being of health students. Interventions aiming to improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety may contribute to preventing depressive symptoms, particularly in high-symptom subgroups. The findings of the study were discussed and interpreted in detail in the light of the relevant literature.