earticle

영어

This study aimed to examine the effects of social isolation on emotional problems (depression, social withdrawal and aggression) among immigrant youth and to identify the mediating effect of self-esteem in this relation. The data were drawn from the fifth year(2023) of the Multicultural Youth Panel Survey (second cohort) conducted by the Korea Youth Policy Institute, focusing on 137 immigrant adolescents. Using the SPSS PROCESS MACRO program, the mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between social isolation and emotional problems was analyzed. The results indicated that self-esteem significantly mediated the relationship between social isolation and both depression and aggression, whereas the mediating effect of self-esteem was not statistically significant in the case of social withdrawal. These findings suggest that immigrant youth’s social networks and self-esteem are critical factors contributing to emotional problems. In particular, the results highlight the need for counseling and educational interventions aimed at enhancing self-esteem to prevent depression and aggression among immigrant youth.