The Longitudinal Effects of Multicultural Adolescents’ Appearance Satisfaction and Korean Language Skills on School Adjustment and the Mediating Effect of Self-esteem

Abstract

This study examined the longitudinal effects of appearance satisfaction and Korean language skills on the self-esteem and school adjustment of multicultural adolescents. The study used data from 1,151 multicultural adolescents from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th waves of the Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS). Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s αlpha, correlation, and structural equation modeling. The results are as follows. First, appearance satisfaction and Korean language skills at grade 6 significantly predicted higher self-esteem at grade 7. Second, there was a significant influence of high levels of self-esteem at grade 7 on positive school adjustment of grade 8. Last, the self-esteem at grade 7 had a significant mediating effect in the relationship between appearance satisfaction and Korean language skills at grade 6 and school adjustment at grade 8. The results of this study highlighted the importance of self-esteem as a mediating factor in the connection between appearance satisfaction and Korean language skills as well as the level of school adjustment. This provides supporting evidence to many educators and parents for the implementation of effective support practices for multicultural adolescents to enhance their school adjustment. Other related implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are also discussed. Keywords: school adjustment, self-esteem, longitudinal study, Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study