Frontiers | Dual mediating roles of friend support and self-esteem in the association between bicultural acceptance attitudes and life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents in South Korea: the moderating role of depression

May 11, 2026 - 14:46

A new study published in the journal Frontiers explores the complex social and psychological factors that influence life satisfaction among multicultural adolescents in South Korea. The research focuses on how bicultural acceptance attitudes -- the degree to which these young people feel comfortable with both their heritage culture and Korean culture -- relate to their overall well-being.

The study proposes a dual mediating model, suggesting that friend support and self-esteem act as key bridges in this relationship. In other words, having a positive attitude toward both cultures may lead to stronger friendships and higher self-worth, which in turn boosts life satisfaction. However, the researchers also investigated a critical moderator: depression.

The findings indicate that depression significantly alters these pathways. For adolescents experiencing higher levels of depression, the positive effects of bicultural acceptance on friend support and self-esteem were weaker. This suggests that depressive symptoms can disrupt the psychological and social benefits typically gained from embracing a bicultural identity. The study highlights that while fostering bicultural acceptance is valuable, it may not be enough on its own for teens struggling with depression. Targeted mental health support is likely essential to help these adolescents build the social connections and self-regard that lead to greater life satisfaction. The research underscores the need for holistic interventions that address both cultural adjustment and emotional well-being.