Journal of Education and Human Development

The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem on the Relationship Between Child Poverty and Educational Achievement by Developmental Stages in South Korea
Eun Kyung Lee

Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between child poverty and educational achievement in South Korea using secondary data collected over a 12-year period (from 2006 to 2018) by the Korean Welfare Panel Study. This study compared the impact of child poverty on educational achievement for primary school students with secondary school students after controlling for self-esteem and three covariates (gender, bullying, and child maltreatment). Three major results were found. First, child poverty was a significant predictor of lower educational achievement, including academic achievement and school adjustment. Second, self-esteem mediated the relationship between child poverty and educational achievement. Third, the direct effects of poverty and the mediating effect of self-esteem differed by developmental stages. Suggestions for intervention include mandatory employment of school social workers who can provide psychological support to children in elementary and middle schools and advocate for expanding the eligibility criteria for child allowance to all elementary and middle school students in South Korea.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jehd.v14p6