Stability of self-esteem as a moderator of the relation between level of self-esteem and depression.

The hypothesis that stability of self-esteem would moderate the predictive relationship between level of self-esteem and depression was tested. Specifically, level of self-esteem was hypothesized to relate more strongly to subsequent depression for individuals with stable self-esteem than for individuals with unstable self-esteem. Results strongly supported this hypothesis. Implications for the relation between level of self-esteem and depression, and for the moderator variable approach to personality and prediction, are discussed.