SELF-ESTEEM AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG STUDENTS WITH AND WITHOUT PHYSICAL DISABILITY

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-esteem (SE) and quality of life (QOL) among students with and without physical disabilities. Further, it also explored the gender differences in the level of self-esteem and quality of life in participants. Through purposive sampling 200 participants (100 physically disabled & 100 normal) were selected from 4 universities of Gujrat and Islamabad. The WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL Group, 1998) and State Self-esteem Scale (Heatherton & Polivy, 1991) were used for data collection. Results revealed that self-esteem has a significant positive relationship with quality of life (r=.89, p=.00). Results indicate that there was a significant difference in the scores of self-esteems and quality of life among normal and disabled students. It was also highlighted that normal and physically disabled female student had a low level of self-esteem and quality of life than normal and physically disabled male students. The findings also indicated that self-esteem is a significant predictor of quality of life among students. This study concluded that the physical disability of participants has not significantly affected the individual’s self-perceptions but it also plays role in determining the quality of life. Keywords: Self-esteem, quality of life, physical disability, students, gender difference, University.