Socio-economic differences in self-esteem of adolescents influenced by personality, mental health and social support

Background: Previous studies indicate that self-esteem is lower among adolescents of low socio-economic status and is associated with a number of intrapersonal, interpersonal and socio-cultural factors. Evidence on the mechanisms by which these factors contribute to the connection between socio-economic status and developing self-esteem is incomplete, however. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to assess whether personality, mental health and social support contribute to the relationship between socio-economic status and self-esteem. Methods: A sample of 3694 elementary-school students from Slovakia (mean age = 14.3 years, 49% boys) filled out the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, the Family Affluence Scale, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire and the Perceived Social Support Scale. Results: Hierarchical linear regression showed family affluence, personality dimensions of extroversion, emotional stability and openness to experience, as well as mental health subscales and social support from family and significant others to be associated with self-esteem. Results indicate that personality dimensions and mental health subscales contribute to the association between family affluence and self-esteem. Conclusion: The contribution of personality and mental problems in the relation between socio-economic status and self-esteem may have important implications for the design of promotional programs aimed at enhancing self-esteem

Macro-, Micro- and Nanomechanical Characterization of Crosslinked Polymers with Very Broad Range of Mechanical Properties

This work is focused on the comparison of macro-, micro- and nanomechanical properties of a series of eleven highly homogeneous and chemically very similar polymer networks, consisting of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A cured with diamine terminated polypropylene oxide. The main objective was to correlate the mechanical properties at multiple length scales, while using very well-defined polymeric materials. By means of synthesis parameters, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer networks was deliberately varied in a broad range and, as a result, the samples changed their mechanical behavior from very hard and stiff (elastic moduli 4 GPa), through semi-hard and ductile, to very soft and elastic (elastic moduli 0.006 GPa). The mechanical properties were characterized in macroscale (dynamic mechanical analysis; DMA), microscale (quasi-static microindentation hardness testing; MHI) and nanoscale (quasi-static and dynamic nanoindentation hardness testing; NHI). The stiffness-related properties (i.e., storage moduli, indentation moduli and indentation hardness at all length scales) showed strong and statistically significant mutual correlations (all Pearson′s correlation coefficients r > 0.9 and corresponding p-values < 0.001). Moreover, the relations among the stiffness-related properties were approximately linear, in agreement with the theoretical prediction. The viscosity-related properties (i.e., loss moduli, damping factors, indentation creep and elastic work of indentation at all length scales) reflected the stiff-ductile-elastic transitions. The fact that the macro-, micro- and nanomechanical properties exhibited the same trends and similar values indicated that not only dynamic, but also quasi-static indentation can be employed as an alternative to well-established DMA characterization of polymer networks

Socioeconomic and psychosocial factors of sense of coherence among adolescents

Study explores the influence of selected socioeconomic (education and unemployment of father/mother) and psychosocial factors (perceived social support from father, mother, friends, atmosphere and study conditions at school) on sense of coherence (13-item Antonovsky scale) among adolescents (n=1992, 53.5% females, mean age 16.9 years). Model were explored using linear regression separately in male and female. Social support from parents as well as friendly atmosphere and excellent study condition at school were significant source of developing sense of coherence among adolescents, while the influence of socioeconomic indices (education of parents) were not confirmed. Mother's unemployment contributed to sense of coherence among female and friends' social support among male. Findings indicates that sense of coherence seems to be not a privilege of high socio-economic groups, but rather a privilege of the 'beloved and cared for' within as well as out of the family

Socioeconomic and psychosocial factors of sense of coherence among adolescents

Study explores the influence of selected socioeconomic (education and unemployment of father/mother) and psychosocial factors (perceived social support from father, mother, friends, atmosphere and study conditions at school) on sense of coherence (13-item Antonovsky scale) among adolescents (n=1992, 53.5% females, mean age 16.9 years). Model were explored using linear regression separately in male and female. Social support from parents as well as friendly atmosphere and excellent study condition at school were significant source of developing sense of coherence among adolescents, while the influence of socioeconomic indices (education of parents) were not confirmed. Mother's unemployment contributed to sense of coherence among female and friends' social support among male. Findings indicates that sense of coherence seems to be not a privilege of high socio-economic groups, but rather a privilege of the 'beloved and cared for' within as well as out of the family.</p