THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SELF ESTEEM IN PERSONALITY AND MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WITH TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES

Objective: The current study explores the mediating role of self-esteem in the relationship of extraversion and mental health problems in traumatized university students. Methodology: Out of a total of 265 individuals, 215 potential participants were selected for further procedures based on their response to the "happened to me" item on the Life Event Checklist. This sample comprised 215 university students, of which 31% were male and 69% female, with ages ranging from 18 to 26 years (M= 20.78; SD= 2.46). The Self-Esteem Scale for University Students, Big Five Personality Inventory, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale were employed to measure the participants' self-esteem, extraversion, and mental health issues, respectively. Results: Correlation analysis outcomes revealed a positive relationship between extraversion and self-confidence (r =.136, p < .05*), as well as between anxious self-esteem and mental health problems (r = 541, p <.001***). Additionally, findings also demonstrated a negative relationship between extraversion and anxious self-esteem (r = 257, p < .001***), extraversion and mental health problems (r = 218, p < 05*), and self-confidence and mental health problems (r = 138, p < .05*). Nevertheless, elements such as low self-esteem, resilience, and sociability did not demonstrate a significant connection with extraversion or mental health problems. Following these observations, mediation analysis disclosed a significant mediating role of both anxious self-esteem and self-confidence in the relationship between extraversion and mental health issues. Conclusion: These findings indicated that boosting the self-esteem level can ensure the psycho-social well-being of traumatized university students.