Poverty, relational victimization, self-esteem and psychological well-being: a structural equation modelling approach among adolescents

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of poverty on psychological well-being and distress among Indian adolescents, examining the mediating roles of self-esteem and peer victimization within the context of rising social inequality during economic expansion. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study using multi-stage cluster random sampling collected data from 1,280 adolescents. Validated instruments measured multidimensional poverty (MPI), peer victimization (problem behaviour frequency scale: overt and relational), self-esteem (Rosenberg scale) and psychological well-being/distress. Covariates (gender, age, socioeconomic status) were controlled. Structural equation modelling (SEM) tested the hypothesized pathways. Findings Distress, psychological well-being, self-esteem, peer victimization and poverty were all significantly correlated. Poverty raises distress and has a detrimental effect on psychological well-being, according to SEM. Self-esteem and peer victimization both have a substantial mediating role in this relationship. While overt victimization, such as physical bullying, did not significantly affect mental health in the model, relational victimization, such as exclusion and rumour-spreading, had a markedly detrimental effect. One important factor connecting poverty and victimization to poor mental health outcomes was low self-esteem. Originality/value This study offers new empirical support for a dual-pathway model of adolescent mental health in India, which integrates social experiences (relational victimization), socioeconomic factors (MPI) and personal vulnerabilities (self-esteem) in a unique way. It provides a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms connecting social inequality to mental health outcomes in a developing economy context, particularly highlighting the crucial mediating role of relational victimization – which is different from overt aggression – and low self-esteem in converting poverty into psychological distress.