A qualitative grounded theory examining the interplay between anxiety and self-esteem among female Mexican American adolescents

Mommaerts, Katherine (2023) A qualitative grounded theory examining the interplay between anxiety and self-esteem among female Mexican American adolescents. Doctoral thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Female Mexican American adolescents are at an increased risk for experiencing symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem, which are often undiagnosed and untreated. Research with female Mexican American adolescents on the interplay between anxiety and self-esteem is lacking. This study explores the interplay between self-reported symptoms of anxiety and self-esteem from the perspectives of female Mexican American adolescents and mental health therapists (MHTs) in Arizona. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 adolescents (14-17 years) and qualitative focus groups were conducted with 17 MHTs via Zoom. Data were transcribed verbatim using Trint software, stored and analyzed in ATLAS.ti 8 Windows, and analyzed through grounded theory according to Charmaz. Participant perspectives on the interplay between self-reported symptoms of anxiety and self-esteem were described through six main themes and seven subthemes with majority of participants expressing there is an interplay between anxiety and self-esteem. The interplay can be influenced by external factors, pressure and stress, being perceived by others, and the experience of navigating multiple cultures. Participants discussed strategies to address the interplay between anxiety and self-esteem and suggested positive ways to do so. The identified strategies represent one main theme ‘to feel connected and have meaningful relationships’ and was further broken down into five subthemes: importance of informal and formal supports, enhancing relationships – informal and formal strategies, community and environmental supports, cultural experience, and the need for political action. These findings shed new light into the interplay and treating symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem among female Mexican American adolescents. Female Mexican American adolescents are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than adolescents of other ethnic groups and are at greater risk for experiencing stressors related to socioeconomic status, acculturation, and family stress, yet tend not to receive services. Participants identified the desire for enhancing relationships, supporting connection to peers and community resources, and creating programs and interventions to address symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem among female Mexican American adolescents. To improve clinical outcomes, perspectives of female Mexican American adolescents should be prioritized in identifying strategies to address symptoms of anxiety and low self-esteem.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	Adolescent; Grounded theory; Mental health therapist; Mexican American; Qualitative; Social workers; Arizona
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Health and Human Services > Health Sciences
Date Deposited:	23 May 2025 15:17
Last Modified:	23 May 2025 15:17
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/6173

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