This research investigated an integrative model of race- and gender-related influences on adjustment during early adolescence using a sample of 350 Black and White youth. In the proposed model, prejudice/discrimination events, as well as race and gender daily hassles, contribute to a general stress context. The stress context, in turn, influences levels of emotional and behavioral problems in adjustment, with these associations mediated (in part) by intervening effects on self-esteem. Racial and gender identity similarly have positive effects on adjustment via their intermediary linkages with self-esteem. Structural equation modeling analyses provided support for all of these aspects of the model. Findings also revealed theoretically predicted differences in model parameters across race by gender subgroups. These include a direct effect of prejudice/discrimination events on emotional problems specific to Black youth and an effect of gender identity on self-esteem specific to girls. Black girls appeared to be most vulnerable to exhibiting significant adjustment difficulties as a result of the processes under investigation.

Influences of social support and self-esteem on adjustment in early adolescence were investigated in a 2-year longitudinal study (N ϭ 350). Multi-informant data (youth and parent) were used to assess both overall levels and balance in peer-versus adult-oriented sources for social support and self-esteem. Findings obtained using latent growth-curve modeling were consistent with self-esteem mediating effects of social support on both emotional and behavioral adjustment. Lack of balance in social support and self-esteem in the direction of stronger support and esteem from peer-oriented sources predicted greater levels and rates of growth in behavioral problems. Results indicate a need for process-oriented models of social support and self-esteem and sensitivity to patterning of sources for each resource relative to adaptive demands of early adolescence.

An integrative model of self-system influences during early adolescence was investigated in two separate samples of youth in Grades 7 through 9 (n = 225) and Grades 5 through 8 (n = 350). Measures assessed self-description, self-standards, self-evaluations, and self-values in the areas of peers, school, family, appearance, and sports/athletics as well as global self-esteem. For both samples, structural equation modeling analyses provided support for a hypothesized model that included (a) effects of self-descriptions and self-standards on self-evaluations in corresponding domains and (b) effects of domain-specific self-evaluations, in turn, on global self-esteem. There was only limited evidence that the values youth attached to differing domains moderated the relationship between self-evaluations in those domains and overall feelings of self-worth. Differences in model fit according to gender, race/ethnicity, developmental level, and family socioeconomic status were generally absent. Significant differences in mean levels of measures, however, were found across subgroups of youth.

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