Structural Equation Modeling of Adolescent Psychological Well-Being Based on Family Cohesion, Peer Support, and Self-Esteem

Jone Vakacegu; Jessica Moore

Authors

Jone Vakacegu Department of Psychology, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji Author https://orcid.org/0009-0004-5238-8905
Jessica Moore Department of Media Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada Corresponding Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5201-6377

Keywords:

Psychological well-being, family cohesion, peer support, self-esteem, adolescents, structural equation modeling

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to test a structural equation model of adolescent psychological well-being based on family cohesion, peer support, and self-esteem, with particular attention to the direct and indirect effects of family and peer variables through self-esteem.

Methods and Materials: This descriptive-correlational, cross-sectional study was conducted among 512 adolescents aged 13–18 years enrolled in secondary schools in Canada during the 2025–2026 academic year. Participants were selected through multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected using the 42-item Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, the Balanced Cohesion Scale of FACES IV, the Friends subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics and AMOS. Pearson correlation analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood estimation were performed. Indirect effects were examined using bias-corrected bootstrapping with 5,000 resamples.

Findings: The structural model demonstrated acceptable fit, χ²/df = 2.36, CFI = .946, TLI = .940, RMSEA = .052, and SRMR = .045. Family cohesion significantly predicted self-esteem (β = .39, p < .001) and psychological well-being (β = .22, p < .001), while peer support significantly predicted self-esteem (β = .34, p < .001) and psychological well-being (β = .18, p < .001). Self-esteem had the strongest direct effect on psychological well-being (β = .49, p < .001). Significant indirect effects on psychological well-being through self-esteem were observed for family cohesion (β = .19, p < .001) and peer support (β = .17, p < .001). The model explained 39.8% of the variance in self-esteem and 58.7% of the variance in psychological well-being.

Conclusion: Adolescent psychological well-being is associated with both interpersonal resources and positive self-evaluation, with self-esteem partially mediating the effects of family cohesion and peer support.

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