Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness

This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, assertiveness, and youth leadership life skills in adolescents and investigated the moderating role of assertiveness in the relationship between self-esteem and leadership-related life skills. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional research design and included 360 adolescents aged 12–18 years enrolled in secondary education institutions in xxx. Data were collected using the Youth Leadership Life Skills Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. Construct validity was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis, and the relationships among the study variables were examined using path analysis within a structural equation modeling framework. The findings indicated that higher self-esteem was associated with stronger youth leadership life skills. Assertiveness was also positively related to leadership-related life skills, and adolescents with higher levels of assertiveness demonstrated stronger leadership characteristics. In addition, assertiveness played a moderating role in the relationship between self-esteem and youth leadership life skills. These findings highlight the importance of supporting adolescents’ self-esteem and assertiveness in efforts to promote leadership-related life skills. The study contributes to a better understanding of the psychological factors associated with adolescents’ leadership development and may inform educational and developmental programs designed to strengthen these competencies.