Self-Esteem Mediating the Relationship Between Belonging and Depressive Symptoms in a Diverse Adolescent Sample

Authors

• Amanda Palomin, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Marika Dawkins-Cavazos, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Po-Yi Chen, National Taiwan Normal University
• Alfonso Mercado, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2-2026

Abstract

While academic outcomes in alternative education programs are often studied, less research has focused on students’ psychological well-being—particularly self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and belonging. As enrollment in alternative education increases, understanding students’ mental health becomes critical. This study employed a cross-sectional survey of 150 adolescents enrolled in a South Texas alternative program that primarily serves Latinx and underserved communities. The program emphasizes sustainability, empowerment, and project-based learning. The research examined the relationship between overall belonging and depressive symptoms, testing whether self-esteem mediates this relationship. Results revealed that self-esteem partially mediated the link between belonging and depression. Higher belonging was associated with higher self-esteem and lower depression levels, which may help build resilience and reduce academic challenges. These findings support sociometer theory and highlight the importance of promoting a sense of belonging and self-worth among students attending a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP).

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth on June 2, 2026, available at:  https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2026.2681188

Recommended Citation

 Palomin, A., Dawkins-Cavazos, M., Chen, P. Y., & Mercado, A. (2026). Self-esteem mediating the relationship between belonging and depressive symptoms in a diverse adolescent sample. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2026.2681188

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth

DOI

10.1080/1045988X.2026.2681188