ABSTRACT
Background: Although the association between major depressive disorder [MDD] and low self-esteem is well established, we do not know if race and ethnicity modify the magnitude of this link
Objectives: Using a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States, we explored whether or not race alters the association between MDD and self-esteem
Materials and Methods: Data came from the National Survey of American Life [NSAL], a nationally representative household survey with 3,570 African Americans [Blacks] and 891 Non-Hispanic Whites. Low self-esteem [Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale] was the dependent variable, MDD [Composite International Diagnostic Interview] was the independent variables, gender, age and educational level were controls, and race was the focal moderator. Logistic regressions were used for data analysis
Results: In the pooled sample, MDD and low self-esteem showed reciprocal associations, above and beyond all covariates. Our model showed significant interaction between race and MDD, suggesting a stronger association between MDD and self-esteem among Blacks compared to Whites. We could find such interactions among men but not women
Conclusion: Depression and low self-esteem are more strongly linked among Blacks than Whites, particularly among men. It is not clear whether depression leaves a larger scar on self-esteem for Blacks or that Blacks are more vulnerable to the effect of low self-esteem on depression