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Journals / Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 27 Sayı: 4

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION AMONG HEALTH STUDENTS: A LATENT PROFILE ANALYSIS AND MEDIATOR MODEL TESTING

SAĞLIK ÖĞRENCİLERİNDE BENLİK SAYGISI, ANKSİYETE VE DEPRESYON ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİLER: ÖRTÜK PROFİL ANALİZİ VE ARACI MODEL TESTİ

Kevser Pamuk(Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi)0000-0002-6101-871X
Ömer Faruk Akbulut(Afyonkarahisar Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi)0000-0001-5152-8102
Pages
497–507
Publication Date
2026-10-12
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings of the study were discussed and interpreted in detail in the light of the relevant literature.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:OBJECTIVE: Self-esteem, defined as a general evaluation of one’s self-worth, is recognized as a key component of well-being.
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Key Findings & Data:Low self-esteem can significantly increase the risk of depression, especially under stressful conditions.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings of the study were discussed and interpreted in detail in the light of the relevant literature.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Benlik saygısı · Anksiyete · Depresyon

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Self-esteem, defined as a general evaluation of one’s self-worth, is recognized as a key component of well-being. Low self-esteem can significantly increase the risk of depression, especially under stressful conditions. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of anxiety in the relationship between self-esteem and depression and to identify distinct mental health profiles of health students based on their levels of self-esteem, anxiety, and depression using latent profile analysis (LPA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 715 health students (77.9% female, 22.1% male), aged between 18 and 28 years (Mage = 20.15, SD = 1.27). Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and LPA. RESULTS: The results revealed that anxiety partially mediated the association between self-esteem and depression. Additionally, LPA identified three distinct profiles: a “low-symptom" group with low depression and anxiety and relatively high self-esteem, a "moderate-symptom" group with moderate levels of psychological symptoms, and a "high-symptom" group characterized by high depression and anxiety alongside low self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that both the structural and profile-based approaches provide complementary insights into the well-being of health students. Interventions aiming to improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety may contribute to preventing depressive symptoms, particularly in high-symptom subgroups. The findings of the study were discussed and interpreted in detail in the light of the relevant literature.

Özet

AMAÇ: Benlik saygısı, bireyin kendi değerine ilişkin genel değerlendirmesi olarak tanımlanmakta ve iyi oluşun temel bileşenlerinden biri olarak kabul edilmektedir. Düşük benlik saygısı, özellikle stresli koşullar altında depresyon riskini önemli ölçüde artırabilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı benlik saygısı ile depresyon arasındaki ilişkide anksiyetenin aracı rolünü incelemek ve sağlık öğrencilerinin benlik saygısı, anksiyete ve depresyon düzeylerine göre örtük profil analizi kullanarak farklı ruh sağlığı profillerini belirlemektir. GEREÇ VE YÖNTEM: Çalışma, yaşları 18 ile 28 arasında değişen (Ort. = 20.15; SS = 1.27) 715 sağlık öğrencisiyle (%77.9 kadın, %22.1 erkek) yürütülmüştür. Bu çalışmada veri toplamak için Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Rosenberg Özsaygı Ölçeği (RSES), Beck Kaygı Envanteri (BAI) ve Beck Depresyon Ölçeği (BDI) kullanılmıştır. Veriler, yapısal eşitlik modellemesi ve örtük profil analizi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. BULGULAR: Bulgular, benlik saygısı ile depresyon arasındaki ilişkide anksiyetenin kısmi aracılık rolü oynadığını göstermiştir. Ayrıca, örtük profil analizi sonucunda üç farklı profil belirlenmiştir: düşük depresyon ve anksiyete düzeyleri ile görece yüksek benlik saygısına sahip “düşük belirti” grubu; psikolojik belirtilerin orta düzeyde olduğu “orta belirti” grubu; yüksek depresyon ve anksiyete düzeyleri ile düşük benlik saygısıyla karakterize edilen “yüksek belirti” grubu. SONUÇ: Bu bulgular hem yapısal hem de profil temelli yaklaşımların sağlık öğrencilerinin iyi oluşunu anlamada birbirini tamamlayıcı bilgiler sunduğunu göstermektedir. Benlik saygısını artırmayı ve anksiyeteyi azaltmayı hedefleyen müdahalelerin, özellikle yüksek riskli alt gruplarda depresif belirtilerin önlenmesine katkı sağlayabileceği düşünülmektedir. Çalışmanın bulguları, ilgili alanyazın ışığında ayrıntılı olarak tartışılmış ve yorumlanmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Pamuk, K., Akbulut, Ö. F. (2026). RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN SELF-ESTEEM, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION AMONG HEALTH STUDENTS: A LATENT PROFILE ANALYSIS AND MEDIATOR MODEL TESTING. Kocatepe Tıp Dergisi, Cilt: 27 Sayı: 4, 497–507. https://doi.org/10.18229/kocatepetip.1845298

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