Longitudinal Links Between Self-Esteem and the Importance of Self-Direction Values During Adolescence

Abstract

Self-direction values (e.g., independence, curiosity) are among the most important values to people worldwide. However, it is not clear what encourages their development. We propose that self-esteem may be associated with the development of self-direction values because feelings of self-worth provide the confidence needed for independent pursuit. As both independence and self-esteem develop during adolescence, we examined longitudinal associations between self-direction values and self-esteem in adolescents. Study 1 ( NT1 = 527, 55.6% girls, Mage = 16.24, SD = .71, NT2 = 198) included two annual waves of data collection. Study 2 ( Noverall = 486, 55.6% girls, initial Mage = 13.76, SD = .51, NT1 = 418, NT2 = 420, NT3 = 426, NT4 = 387) included four annual waves. In the studies, a cross-lagged panel model and a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model showed that adolescents who feel worthy are more likely to experience an increase in the importance of values of independent thoughts and actions relative to other values. Partial support was found for the opposite direction of association. The results were replicated across longitudinal studies of varying duration and across measures. We discuss the results in light of theories of self-esteem, values, and specifically the development of self-direction values.

Emerging personality in adolescence: developmental trajectories, internalizing and externalizing problems, and the role of mentalizing abilities

“…In addition, in line with previous contributions, the stability of difficulties in investments and goals also seems to emerge as a specificity of this developmental stage. This finding seems interesting and could be related to greater difficulty in self‐direction‐related aspects during this developmental stage (Daniel et al, 2021; Sharp, 2020). Finally, the stability of difficulties in relationships with family members is also in line with the literature: conflict within the family plays a central role as a relational training ground during this developmental stage.…”

Values across adolescence: a four-year longitudinal study. The predictive role of community violence and parental acceptance-rejection

“…While we cannot provide definitive explanations for the differences between our results and those of previous studies, our findings of an increasing trend in openness to change values as adolescents grow up may be understood in light of the substantial changes in self-esteem that occur during adolescence (Orth et al, 2018). As suggested by Daniel et al (2021), the growing feelings of competence and mastery associated with self-esteem, which increase during middle adolescence (Orth et al, 2018), could encourage the self-confidence required to set independent goals and pursue risk-taking and independence.…”

“…However, only a limited number of studies have investigated these associations during adolescence. For instance, Daniel et al (2021) found that the increase in the importance assigned to self-direction value over time was related to the increase, during adolescence, in both independence and self-esteem. Many studies in the literature on values development have focused on the relationships between values and social environment, such as family (e.g., Barni et al, 2011), school (Berson & Oreg, 2016), and peers (e.g., Daniel et al, 2016).…”

A Scoping Review of Children, Empowerment, and Smartphone Technology Regarding Social Construction Theory with the Aim of Increasing Self-Direction in Democracies

“…This is a detriment not only for the children unable to self-direct but also for the adults who are kept from their personal self-direction (Hepburn 2020; Mone and Benga 2022)important in producing parental burnout in democratic countries-negatively affecting their mental health (Roskam et al 2023). Therefore, with self-direction the aim, finding ways and means to permit greater self-direction in children will aid not only children but also their parents/caretakers who then would have time released from supervising children to self-direct their own lives, longitudinally representing both an individual and social benefit (Daniel et al 2023).…”