Play to your strengths : how emerging adults' strengths use relates to an increased mental health : the role of self-esteem

Emerging adults, that are individuals between 18 and 29, are in a life period full of transitions and changes, which often lead to a decreased mental health. Strengths use and self-esteem are suspected to have a beneficial effect on the mental health of emerging adults. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between strengths use and mental health with the mediator self-esteem in emerging adults. This was investigated in a sample of 125 emerging adults who participated in an online survey measuring strengths use, self-esteem and mental health. Results revealed positive linear relationships between all variables and a mediation effect of self-esteem on the relationship between strengths use and mental health. Consequently, strengths use plays an important role for the mental health of emerging adults, indicating the importance of further research on how to foster strengths use in this target group.