The Effects of Hope, Emotional Intelligence, and Stress on the Self-esteem of Rural Elementary School Students in Korea: The Mediating Effect of Social Support

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to verify the structural relationships between hope, emotional intelligence, stress, social support, and self-esteem of 240 elementary school students located in rural areas in S city, T county, and Y county of C province. Methods/Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed using frequency, reliability, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and Sobel’s test. Findings: First, a significant positive correlation was found among selfesteem, hope, social support, and emotional intelligence, whereas a negative correlation was found between self-esteem and stress. Second, hope in rural elementary school students showed a statistically significant positive effect on social support; self-esteem and emotional intelligence showed a positive effect on social support; social support had a statistically significant positive effect on self-esteem; and stress showed a negative effect on social support and self-esteem. Third, social support had an indirect effect on the relationship between hope and self-esteem, and between stress and self-esteem, so social support was identified as an indirect mediator. Application/ Improvement: This study will be used to increase selfesteem through social; support for children.