Home⇛NRCP Research Journal⇛vol. 25 no. 2 (2026)

Predicting Loneliness via Self-Esteem and Resilience: The Case of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Glenn M. Calaguas

Discipline: Social Science

 

Abstract:

Concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusivity are gaining greater importance as the world rapidly changes. However, today’s sexual and gender minority youth still face greater risks of poor mental health in comparison with their non-minority peers, and there are limited studies particularly conducted among Filipinos. The current study investigated whether self-esteem and resilience can predict loneliness among Filipino sexual and gender minority youth. A total of 402 sexual and gender minority youth aged 17 to 24 who were college students served as participants. Specifically, the participants were asked to accomplish three research instruments: the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (RUCLALS). Statistical analyses revealed that, as a group, they had a medium level of self-esteem, low resilience, and moderate loneliness. Furthermore, it was revealed that self-esteem significantly and negatively predicted loneliness, as did resilience. Regression analysis indicated that the two predictors (self-esteem and resilience) explained 39% of the variance, while mediation analysis indicated that resilience partially mediated the negative significant relationship between self-esteem and loneliness. Results suggest that both self-esteem and resilience can serve as protective factors against loneliness; thus, they can serve as bases for designing interventions and crafting policies for this vulnerable group.



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