Self-Esteem: Moderator or Mediator between Perceived Stress and Expectancy of Success?

Relationships between perceived stress, self-esteem, and expectancy of success were examined, and the moderating and mediating effects of self-esteem between perceived stress and expectancy of success were explored. Participants (48 women, 27 men) completed self-rating scales measuring perceived stress, self-esteem, and expectancy of success. Negative relationships were obtained between perceived stress and self-esteem and between perceived stress and expectancy of success. Self-esteem and expectancy of success were positively associated. Moderated multiple regression analysis yielded no moderating effect of self-esteem between perceived stress and expectancy of success; however, a moderating effect of self-esteem was obtained using regression techniques.