The Study of Self-Esteem in Chronically Ill Individuals in Correlation to Health Care in Bangkok Teenagers Aged Between 15 and 19

Abstract

Chronic diseases have persisted in a person’s body throughout their life. Most chronic diseases lead to disabilities in people, which may influence their self-esteem, behavioral outcomes, and/or quality of life. Self-esteem, on the other hand, is an attribute of an adaptable personality that has been correlated to physical well-being. Correspondingly, low self-esteem has frequently been associated with self-stigma, in which one incorporates negative perceptions of chronic disease and sees the illness as a poor reflection of the self. Thus, we conducted survey research on Thai students aged between 15 and 19 using an online questionnaire to determine whether having chronic diseases and accessibility to healthcare services influence an individual’s level of self-esteem. The survey conducted in this research has shown that chronic diseases don’t have an impact on a person’s self-esteem. Instead, lifestyle choices and health care management appear to be the factors determining the quality and quantity of self-esteem in an individual. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals are aware of making healthy life choices that will positively impact their self-esteem rather than poor decisions that will have adverse implications. Thus, examining the correlation between chronically ill individuals and their level of self-esteem in Thai teenagers can assist in raising social awareness about making healthy lifestyle choices to prevent the potential negative effects.