Mediating Effects of Self-esteem and Peer Support in Relationship between Racial Diversity and Social Distance of Elementary School Students

This study aims to verify the mediating effects of self-esteem and peer support in racial diversity and social distance of elementary school students. For this purpose, a survey was carried out among 538 students in three elementary schools from October 2013 through February 2014. The results of the study are as follows: First, racial diversity had a positive correlation with social distance. Further, there was a positive correlation between self-esteem and peer support, and the effects of racial diversity and social distance was higher than the effects of self-esteem and peer support on social distance. Second, the mediating effects of self-esteem and peer support between racial diversity and social distance of elementary school students were verified. Lastly, this study suggested that as the Korean society enters into a multi-cultural society, a study on self-esteem and social, emotional support must be carried out in order to resolve social distance due to the racial diversity of elementary school students.