Dimensions of Self-Esteem in North Macedonian Youth: Self-Acceptance, Motivation, and Emotional Peace

Introduction: Self-esteem represents a key aspect of the psychological development during adolescence and the emerging adulthood. Existing evidence indicates that the higher self-esteem is associated with the greater wellbeing, emotional stability, and resilience. Despite this, cross-cultural patterns remain insufficiently examined, particularly within the Southeast Europe. The aim of this study was to explore the latent structure of self-esteem and to assess age- and gender-related differences among adolescents and young adults in North Macedonia.

Subjects and methods: The study included 510 participants (285 females and 225 males) recruited from high schools and universities in Skopje, North Macedonia. Self-esteem was measured using a culturally adapted version of the Janis–Field Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was applied to evaluate the proposed three-factor model. Internal consistency, regression analyses, and demographic comparisons were conducted using RStudio.

Results: The three-factor model showed excellent fit indices (CFI = 0.992; TLI = 0.988; RMSEA = 0.047), supporting the validity of the structure comprising Self-Acceptance, Motivation, and Emotional Peace. Self-Acceptance emerged as the strongest predictor of overall self-esteem (β = 0.68, p < 0.001). A small gender difference was identified, with males reporting slightly higher self-esteem scores; however, the effect size was not substantial. Age-related analyses indicated a modest decline in self-esteem among the older participants, with university students exhibiting greater variability in scores compared to the high school students.

Conclusion: The findings support a stable multidimensional structure of self-esteem among adolescents and emerging adults in North Macedonia. The results indicate subtle demographic influences and underscore the importance of culturally validated instruments when assessing psychological constructs. These outcomes may inform future educational and mental health initiatives aimed at strengthening youth well-being in the region.