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A longitudinal study on the impact of subjective exclusion on changes in self-esteem: the mediating effect of perceived income inequality

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  • Wan-Kyeong Park
  • Soo-Bi Lee

Abstract

This study explored the impact of the subjective exclusion perceived by adults on the development trajectory of self-esteem and verified the mediating role of perceived income inequality. We analyzed data from the 2017–2020 Korea Welfare Panel Study on 1,410 20–59-year-old research participants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the key variables and research participants’ general characteristics. A structural equation model investigated how the change trajectory of self-esteem and subjective exclusion affected the development trajectory of self-esteem via perceived income inequality. First, greater perceived subjective exclusion is associated with higher perceived income inequality, which acts as the mediator variable. Furthermore, the higher the perceived subjective exclusion, the lower the initial self-esteem; this gap increased over time. Second, perceived income inequality did not significantly impact initial self-esteem but positively significantly affected self-esteem’s rate of change, showing a wide variation. These findings suggest the necessity of social support systems and policy interventions to restore self-esteem, a cornerstone of mental health, among individuals experiencing social exclusion. Additionally, given that perceived income inequality impacts self-esteem, efforts to address social structural inequalities should be strengthened alongside clinical interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wan-Kyeong Park & Soo-Bi Lee, 2025. "A longitudinal study on the impact of subjective exclusion on changes in self-esteem: the mediating effect of perceived income inequality," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0321271
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luann Good Gingrich & Naomi Lightman, 2015. "The Empirical Measurement of a Theoretical Concept: Tracing Social Exclusion among Racial Minority and Migrant Groups in Canada," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 3(4), pages 98-111.
    2. Runt Veenhoven, 2002. "Why Social Policy Needs Subjective Indicators," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 58(1), pages 33-46, June.
    3. Luann Good Gingrich & Naomi Lightman, 2015. "The Empirical Measurement of a Theoretical Concept: Tracing Social Exclusion among Racial Minority and Migrant Groups in Canada," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 3(4), pages 98-111.
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