earticle

영어

This study aims to verify the mediating effects of self-direction in learning in the impacts of parental neglect and abuse on adolescent self-esteem. This study conducted an analysis using the 5th wave data on the panel of 1st graders of elementary school for Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) with the structural equation model to answer the research questions. The subjects of the study are 2,110 adolescents in the fifth grade in elementary school. The main results drawn in the study are summarized as follows: First, both parental neglect and abuse had negative (-) impacts on adolescent self-esteem. Second, both parental neglect and abuse also had negative (-) impacts on adolescent self-direction in learning. Third, the more the self-direction in learning, the more positive (+) the adolescent self-esteem became. Fourth, according to the result of effect decomposition, both the total effect and the indirect effect of self-direction in learning in the impacts of parental neglect and abuse on adolescent self-esteem were statistically significant. These results show that parental neglect and abuse have direct impacts on adolescent self-esteem, while they also have indirect impacts on it through the mediator variable, self-direction in learning. Especially, this study found that the indirect effect of self-direction in learning was greater in the relationship between parental neglect and adolescent self-esteem than in that between parental abuse and adolescent self-esteem. Lastly, based on these research results, the present study made policy and practical suggestions.