earticle

영어

This study aims to empirically analyze the effect of cultural and artistic leisure activities on the happiness of multicultural adolescents, focusing on the mediating role of self-esteem. As Korean society becomes increasingly multicultural, there is growing social interest in improving the emotional well-being and life satisfaction of multicultural youth. However, due to linguistic barriers, cultural discrimination, and social isolation, these adolescents are more likely to experience low self-esteem and psychological withdrawal, which can negatively affect their happiness. We designed this study specifically to target multicultural adolescents, who are often vulnerable to social exclusion and emotional challenges. By focusing on this population, we aim to provide empirical evidence on how participation in cultural and artistic leisure activities can enhance their self-esteem and ultimately improve their overall happiness and life satisfaction. Using data from the 5th wave(2023) of the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Survey (MAPS) conducted by the National Youth Policy Institute, this study analyzed the structural relationships among cultural leisure activities, self-esteem, and happiness among 1,620 multicultural adolescents. The results showed that participation in cultural and artistic leisure activities had a significant positive effect on both self-esteem and happiness. Moreover, self-esteem also positively influenced happiness and significantly mediated the relationship between leisure activity and happiness.These findings suggest that promoting cultural leisure activities and enhancing self-esteem through an integrated approach is essential to improve the well-being of multicultural adolescents. This study highlights the academic and practical significance of developing emotion-support programs based on cultural and artistic activities for this population.