Exploring the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Depressive Disorder: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem among Chinese Adolescents

Zijing Zong

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2025.18171

Research Article

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Published on 12 December 2024

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Zong,Z. (2024). Exploring the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Depressive Disorder: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem among Chinese Adolescents. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,68,71-79.

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Exploring the Relationship Between Personality Traits and Depressive Disorder: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem among Chinese Adolescents

Zijing Zong *^,1,

¹ University College London

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/2025.18171

Abstract

Numerous research investigations have shown the correlation between psychopathology and personality traits, as well as between the Five Factor Model (FFM) of personality and self-esteem (SE). However, the relevant research is limited. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between FFM and depression among Chinese adolescents, and to find whether SE acts as a mediator in the relationship. This study recruited 325 adolescents from Jiangsu Province in China. Three self-reported questionnaires were employed to assess their personality traits, depression and SE respectively. Pearson correlation and mediation were applied in data analyses. The results showed that the association between FFM of personality and depression is significantly mediated by SE. High neuroticism was linked to low SE, which in turn correlated with higher levels of depression; higher extraversion, agreeableness, openness and conscientiousness were linked to higher SE, which subsequently corresponded with lower levels of depression. Therefore, future interventions should focus on social and educational training to promote mental health and boost SE.

Keywords

Five Factor Model of personality, self-esteem, depression

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References

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Volume title: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Social Psychology and Humanity Studies

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ISBN：978-1-83558-631-0(Print) / 978-1-83558-632-7(Online)

Conference date: 14 February 2025

Editor：Kurt Buhring

Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

Volume number: Vol.68

ISSN：2753-7048(Print) / 2753-7056(Online)

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