Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology
Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness
Şebnem Yücel 1, Hatice Yalçın 2 * , Demet Akarçay Ulutaş 3, Recep Yücel 4
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1 Selcuk University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health Management, Konya, Türkiye
2 Cyprus Health and Social Science University Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Child Development, Cyprus
3 Karatay University, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, Department of Social Work, Konya, Türkiye
4 Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Business Management, Kırıkkale, Türkiye
* Corresponding Author
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Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 2026 - Volume 8 Issue 3, Article No: e48561
https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561

Article Type: Research Article

Published Online: 24 Sep 2026

Views: 8 | Downloads: 4

ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationships among self-esteem, assertiveness, and youth leadership life skills in adolescents and investigated the moderating role of assertiveness in the relationship between self-esteem and leadership-related life skills. The study employed a quantitative cross-sectional research design and included 360 adolescents aged 12–18 years enrolled in secondary education institutions in xxx. Data were collected using the Youth Leadership Life Skills Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. Construct validity was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis, and the relationships among the study variables were examined using path analysis within a structural equation modeling framework. The findings indicated that higher self-esteem was associated with stronger youth leadership life skills. Assertiveness was also positively related to leadership-related life skills, and adolescents with higher levels of assertiveness demonstrated stronger leadership characteristics. In addition, assertiveness played a moderating role in the relationship between self-esteem and youth leadership life skills. These findings highlight the importance of supporting adolescents’ self-esteem and assertiveness in efforts to promote leadership-related life skills. The study contributes to a better understanding of the psychological factors associated with adolescents’ leadership development and may inform educational and developmental programs designed to strengthen these competencies.
KEYWORDS
adolescent development assertiveness moderation analysis self-esteem youth leadership
In-text citation: (Yücel et al., 2026)
Reference: Yücel, Ş., Yalçın, H., Akarçay Ulutaş, D., & Yücel, R. (2026). Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(3), e48561. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Yücel Ş, Yalçın H, Akarçay Ulutaş D, Yücel R. Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(3), e48561. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561
In-text citation: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Reference: Yücel Ş, Yalçın H, Akarçay Ulutaş D, Yücel R. Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology. 2026;8(3):e48561. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561
In-text citation: (Yücel et al., 2026)
Reference: Yücel, Şebnem, Hatice Yalçın, Demet Akarçay Ulutaş, and Recep Yücel. "Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology 2026 8 no. 3 (2026): e48561. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561
In-text citation: (Yücel et al., 2026)
Reference: Yücel, Ş., Yalçın, H., Akarçay Ulutaş, D., and Yücel, R. (2026). Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness. Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, 8(3), e48561. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561
In-text citation: (Yücel et al., 2026)
Reference: Yücel, Şebnem et al. "Impact of leadership and self-esteem on life skills in adolescents and the moderating role of assertiveness". Journal of Pedagogical Sociology and Psychology, vol. 8, no. 3, 2026, e48561. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPSP.202648561
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