Moderated Mediation Effect of Discrimination on Links Between Relationship Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Depression in Young Adults

This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between relationship satisfaction and depression among young adults and to examine whether this mediating path is moderated by experiences of discrimination. For this purpose, data from the “2022 Seoul Mental Health Survey” conducted by the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family were analyzed, focusing on responses from 592 young adults aged 19 to 34. Measures included relationship satisfaction, self-esteem, discrimination experiences, and levels of depression. SPSS 28.0 and PROCESS macro 4.2 were used to test the mediation (Model 4), moderation (Model 1), and moderated mediation effects (Model 14). The results revealed three key findings. First, relationship satisfaction had an indirect effect on depression through self-esteem. Second, the protective effect of self-esteem on depression was moderated by the level of discrimination experiences; specifically, the negative association between self-esteem and depression was stronger among those who reported higher levels of discrimination. Third, the moderated mediation model showed a statistically significant conditional indirect effect, indicating that the pathway from relationship satisfaction to depression via self-esteem varied depending on discrimination experiences. These findings highlight the complex interplay between interpersonal, psychological, and social factors in youth mental health. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how relational and identity-related factors influence depression among young adults and provides valuable implications for designing interventions and policy responses.