Self-esteem In Adolescent Girls Research Articles

Knowledge and Practices Regarding Menstruation Hygiene Management Among School Going Adolescents

Adolescence is a crucial time for girls to prepare for and adjust to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to better understand the challenges girls face due to menstruation in the form of socio-cultural norms and its impact on self-esteem. The study was conducted on 240 adolescent girls in the age group of 10-14years and 15-19 years belonging to rural and urban areas of Hisar district. Self- developed schedules were used to delineate personal, socio-personal variables, MHM status in terms of knowledge, attitude and practices, socio-cultural norms concerning menstruation and facilities at school and home in terms of MHM. Self-esteem of adolescent girls was assessed by using State Self-Esteem Scale (SSES) developed by Heatherton and Polivy (1991). Results, illustrate that knowledge, attitude and practice level of respondents was signifi cantly associated with personal and socio-economic variables i.e. age, class, area of residence, mother education and father occupation. Majority of respondents of rural background were unsatisfi ed with the family communication and guidance on MHM they received at homes. Regarding facilities at school in terms of MHM more than 1/4th rural adolescents agreed that there was lack of separate and clean latrines with doors, lack of soap and wash material, lack of changing room to manage periods at school, lack of sanitary material and lack of guidance on MHM. Approximately one- third of girls irrespective of area of residence reported dissatisfaction with home facilities with regard to MHM

Hesitant language use and self-esteem in adolescent girls across ethnicity

Language is dynamic and changes across the course of adolescence. Researchers have found that usage of some words and phrases, such as “um…” and “I don’t know,” increase during the teenage years, especially when youth are confronted with topics that they may not feel comfortable discussing. Hesitant language is defined as words or styles of speech that communicate 1. a distancing of the declarative content of one's speech and 2. interpersonal sensitivity towards the listener. These phrases are typically used because one is nervous or unsure about what to say and they can signify a variety of issues and may or may not be linked to self-esteem. In this study, we analyzed eighth-grade girls’ usage of hesitant language and how the use of this type of language may or may not be correlated with their scores on the Rosenberg self-esteem test. We also ran an ANOVA to determine if there was a significant difference in correlation across ethnicity. Our current study is focused on eighth grade and we plan on expanding to include the 6th and 11th-grade data. There have been very few studies done on how hesitant language and self-esteem correlate and change through girls’ adolescence. We hope our study will help add to the important conversation around girls' self-esteem and what can be used as indicators of a change in that self-esteem over time.

The effect of cognitive behavior therapy on body image and self-esteem in female adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Low self-esteem and negative body image expose girls to many risks and damages. Cognitive-behavior counseling is one of the ways of improving body image and self-esteem. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effects of cognitive-behavior therapy on body image and self-esteem of adolescent girls. The English (Cochrane library, Web of sciences, EBSCO, PubMed, Google Scholar) and Persian (SID, MagIran) databases were searched without any time limit. The quality of included studies in terms of risk of bias was assessed using Cochran handbook and the quality of evidence was evaluated through Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Heterogeneity of studies was analyzed by index I 2. Subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of outcome evaluation intervals (after intervention, one month and two months later). A total of 2,664 articles were accessed in different databases of which 2,655 articles were excluded and finally nine studies were systematically reviewed. Meta-analysis results on seven studies (228 participants) showed that the group receiving cognitive-behavior counseling was significantly better than the control group regarding body image (Standardized Mean Difference [SMD]: 13.01; 95% CI: 10.68 to 15.34; I²=26.1%). Likewise, meta-analysis results on two studies (50 participants) showed that self-esteem was not significantly different between the group receiving cognitive-behavior counseling and the control group (SMD: 1.13; 95% CI: -0.7 to 2.32, I²=73%). Meta-analysis results of this study represent effectiveness of cognitive-behavior therapy on body image of adolescent girls; however, since the number of studies in the field of self-esteem is low, more trials in this field with stronger designs are suggested.

Depression, anxiety and self-esteem in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective of the study was to evaluate the depression, anxiety and perceived stress level in adolescent girls with diagnosed polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as to assess their body and self-esteem and its impact on emotional status. In 27 adolescent girls with confirmed diagnosis of PCOS (study group) as well as 27 healthy, regularly menstruating, age and BMI matched girls (control group) Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Body-Esteem Scale (BES) containing three subscales (sexual attractiveness, weight concern, physical condition) were performed. There were no significant differences between PCOS group and control group in depression and PSS-10 scores, but the anxiety score was significantly higher in control than in PCOS group (9.6 ± 3.0 vs 7.3 ± 3.9, p = 0.02). Moreover, in BES subscales' scores there were no significant differences between the groups, whereas RSES score was significantly higher in PCOS group (25.0 ± 7.1 vs 28.3 ± 4.6, p = 0.04). In PCOS group anxiety score was related to PSS-10 score (r = 0.56, p = 0.005). Moreover, we found that obesity was negatively related to anxiety (rƴ = -0.4, p = 0.04), depression (rƴ = -0.48, p = 0.02), PSS-10 (rƴ = -0.59, p = 0.004) and physical condition scores (rƴ = -0.44, p = 0.04). In girls with PCOS the more severe depression the worse weight control (rƴ = -0.56, p = 0.04). We conclude that in adolescent girls PCOS is not related to anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as poor self-esteem.

Body weight contingent self-worth predicts depression in adolescent girls: The roles of self-esteem instability and interpersonal sexual objectification

This 3-year longitudinal study examined the extent to which body weight contingent self-worth (CSW) predicted depressive symptoms in 439 adolescent girls and the roles of unstable self-esteem and interpersonal sexual objectification in this association. Half-longitudinal mediation showed that the indirect effect of body weight CSW on depression via instability of self-esteem was significant. Prior levels of body weight CSW predicted increases in unstable self-esteem, which predicted increments in depressive symptoms over time. However, earlier levels of depression did not significantly predict increases in self-esteem instability. Moderation analyses indicated that the indirect effect was conditional upon individuals’ experience of interpersonal sexual objectification. The positive link between body weight CSW and unstable self-esteem was stronger in girls who experienced more interpersonal sexual objectification. The direct effect of body weight CSW on depression was also moderated by interpersonal sexual objectification. Taken together, basing self-worth on body weight appears to be a risk factor for depression through its association with unstable self-esteem in adolescent girls and sexually objectifying experiences serve to exacerbate the connection between body weight CSW and adverse outcomes.

To Assess the Effectiveness of Health Education on Positive Self Esteem in Adolescent Girls in a Semi Urban School Tamil Nadu

To Assess the Effectiveness of Health Education on Positive Self Esteem in Adolescent Girls in a Semi Urban School Tamil Nadu

Emotional basis of gender differences in adolescent self-esteem

Lower self-esteem in adolescent girls than boys confers greater vulnerability to numerous risks in their development towards social adulthood. This research aimed to study the role of perceived emotional intelligence in self-esteem's gender differences. An anonymous questionnaire was applied to 1791 Spanish adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years old, composed of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and a reduced version of the Trait Meta-Mood Scale. The results showed that girls presented lower overall self-esteem than boys, as well as lower perceived emotional intelligence. On the one hand, it was found that high perceived emotional attention was related to lower self-esteem in girls; on the other hand, results detected that high perceived emotional attention was linked to higher perceived emotional clarity and repair in boys, which were associated with higher self-esteem. These results suggest the need to design programmes to improve self-esteem in adolescent girls by reducing perceived emotional attention.

Girls feeling good at school: School gender environment, internalization and awareness of socio-cultural attitudes associations with self-esteem in adolescent girls

As society continues to advocate an unrealistically thin body shape, awareness and internalization of appearance and its consequent impact upon self-esteem has become increasingly of concern, particularly in adolescent girls. School gender environment may influence these factors, but remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to assess differences between two different school environments in appearance attitudes, social influences and associations with self-esteem. Two hundred and twelve girls (M = 13.8 years) attending either a single-sex or co-educational school completed measures on socio-cultural attitudes towards appearance, social support and self-esteem. Though marginal differences between school environments were found, significantly higher internalization was reported among girls at the co-educational school. School environment moderated relations between internalization and self-esteem such that girls in co-educational environments had poorer self-esteem stemming from greater internalization. Thus, in a single-sex school environment, protective factors may attenuate negative associations between socio-cultural attitudes towards appearance and self-esteem in adolescent girls.

The Impact of Body Mass Index on the Associations Between Pubertal Timing and Self-harm, Depression, and Self-esteem in Adolescent Girls

The Impact of Body Mass Index on the Associations Between Pubertal Timing and Self-harm, Depression, and Self-esteem in Adolescent Girls

Perfectionism and low self- esteem across the continuum of eating disorders in adolescent girls from Buenos Aires

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare habits, behaviours and eating attitudes, perfectionism and self-esteem in adolescent girls with eating disorder (ED) adolescents at risk of eating disorder (EDR), and adolescents without eating disorder neither risk (NED). The sample included 200 women between 13 and 19 years of age: 167 students of high schools from Buenos Aires and 33 ED patients recruited from clinics specializing in treatment of ED. There were formed three groups according to the presence of ED or ED risk (which was evaluated through a semistructured interview based on the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE): adolescents with ED (n=46), adolescents at risk for ED (n=17) and adolescents without ED neither risk (n=137). Participants completed: Sociodemographic and specific symptoms of eating disorders questionnaire, Eating Disorder Inventory-3 (EDI 3), Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, and Almost Perfect Scale-Revised (APS-R). Overall, the results support the continuum theory of ED. EDR group had intermediate scores on perfectionism and low self-esteem. Furthermore, the results support the dysfunctional nature of one of the components of perfectionism (Discrepancy). The presence of psychological characteristics associated with the development of ED in nonclinical adolescent population (EDR), reinforces the importance of making efforts to the prevention of ED in school context.

Associations between sedentary behavior and self-esteem in adolescent girls from schools in low-income communities

BackgroundExcessive time spent in sedentary behavior is associated with a range of physiological, psychosocial and behavioral health concerns in youth. ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to examine the association between sedentary behavior and self-esteem among adolescent girls living in low-income communities. MethodsParticipants were 357 girls [mean age (standard deviation) = 13.2 (0.5) years] from 12 secondary schools located in low-income communities in New South Wales, Australia. Height, weight, body fat (bio-electrical impedance analysis) and physical activity (accelerometers), self-esteem were assessed. ResultsSignificant inverse associations were found between self-esteem and time spent watching DVDs and using the computer for non-school purposes, but no relationship was found between TV viewing and self-esteem. The relationship between sedentary time (%) from accelerometers and self-esteem was not significant. ConclusionsSedentary behavior is a pervasive public health concern and time spent in specific screen-based recreation was associated with self-esteem in adolescent girls living in low-income communities. Our findings are indicative of the complex nature of these relationships and reveal a need for further longitudinal and intervention-based research in the field.

Evaluation of the effects of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment on self-esteem in an adolescent population

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment on adolescent self-esteem. A total of 4509 middle school students were clinically evaluated for dental crowding. Lip protrusion was also measured with a specially designed ruler. Rosenberg's self-esteem scale was used to determine each subject's level of self-esteem. The results showed that sex played a role in the relationship between self-esteem and malocclusion. For the girls, crowding of the anterior teeth had significant effects on their self-esteem; however, there was no significant difference in the boys' self-esteem. After fixed orthodontic treatment, the girls had higher self-esteem than the untreated malocclusion group. Girls with an ideal profile and good tooth alignment also showed higher self-esteem than students with crowding or protrusion. This clinical study proved that malocclusion and fixed orthodontic treatment can affect self-esteem in adolescent girls.

Dramatising the hidden hurt: acting against covert bullying by adolescent girls

This paper, delivered at the International Drama in Education Research Institute (IDIERI) conference in Sydney in July 2009, explores the outcomes of a project designed to apply the applied theatre techniques developed for the Acting Against Bullying programme to the specific problem of covert or hidden bullying by adolescent girls. Conducted in a large all girls' school, the research reveals some significant new information about the nature of covert bullying. It also provides confirmatory evidence of the efficacy of drama in enhancing identification, empathy and self-esteem in adolescent girls to enable them to deal more effectively with relational aggression. The project is on-going in 2010.

Facilitating Smart-Girl: Feminist Pedagogy in Service Learning in Action

This article describes a service learning program, employed at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which is a replicable model of feminist pedagogy in action. This unique program was specifically developed to increase self-esteem in adolescent girls and involves mentor-led, small-group, activity-based curriculum covering such topics as media and body image, self-confidence, coping with girl bullying, problem solving, refusal skills, sexual harassment, and multicultural competency. College women serve as mentors for groups of middle school girls. The Smart-Girl program incorporates an interactive pedagogy instructing mentors in facilitating adolescent girl groups in real-life issues. The program has a significant impact on both the participants as well as the college guides. This program provides a replicable model of feminist pedagogy in action, where girls and young adult women are empowered to learn from each other.

Eating Behaviour, Body Image, and Self-Esteem of Adolescent Girls in Malaysia

This cross-sectional study was undertaken with 489 secondary school girls, ages 15-17 years, to examine disordered eating behaviours of adolescent girls in Malaysia and to estimate associations with body weight, body-size discrepancy, and self-esteem. Dietary restraint, binge eating, body image, and self-esteem were assessed using the Restrained Eating scale of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, the Binge Scale Questionnaire, the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, respectively. Pearson correlations estimated associations between variables. There were 3.1% underweight, 9.8% at risk of being overweight, and 8.6% overweight girls. A total of 87.3% were dissatisfied with their own body size. Dietary restraint and binge eating were reported by 36.0% and 35.4%, respectively. Body Mass Index (r = .34, p < .01) and body-size dissatisfaction (r = .24, p < .01) were significantly associated with dietary restraint and binge eating, but self-esteem (r = -.20, p < .001) was significantly associated only with binge eating.

Self Esteem among Rural Adolescent Girls in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh

The present study has been conducted with an aim to know the self-esteem of adolescent girls and the factors affecting in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. A total sample of 112 school going girls in the age range of 14 to 19 years were selected from five villages of Kangra district. Self esteem was measured through self esteem scale and the means and percentages were calculated. Results indicated that majority of the girls had average scores of self- esteem with an average of 83.56. Self-esteem scores were found to be positively correlated with the educational status of the girls. The analysis also revealed that the family type of girls affected the scores of self-esteem.

Body Dissatisfaction Prospectively Predicts Depressive Mood and Low Self-Esteem in Adolescent Girls and Boys

This research examined whether body dissatisfaction prospectively predicted depressive mood and low self-esteem in adolescent girls and boys 5 years later. Participants were early-adolescent girls (n = 440, Time 1 M age = 12.7 years) and boys (n = 366, Time 1 M age = 12.8 years) and midadolescent girls (n = 946, Time 1 M age = 15.8 years) and boys (n = 764, Time 1 M age = 15.9 years). After controlling for Time 1 of the relevant dependent variable, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and body mass index, Time 1 body dissatisfaction was a unique predictor of Time 2 depressive mood and low self-esteem in early-adolescent girls (depressive mood: F = 4.80, p < .05; self-esteem: F = 9.64, p < .01) and midadolescent boys (depressive mood: F = 12.27, p < .001; self-esteem: F = 9.38, p < .01) but not in early-adolescent boys or midadolescent girls. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that body dissatisfaction is a risk factor for depressive mood and low self-esteem in both girls and boys but in different phases of adolescence.

Self-Esteem in Adolescent Females

Purpose Self-esteem is a major “predictor” of satisfaction with life. This longitudinal study examined mean and individual changes in self-esteem, and how self-esteem is affected by race and body mass. Methods Girls were recruited at ages 9 and 10 years, and followed to age 22 years. The Harter Self-Perception Profile was administered every other year, analyzing scores from the Global Self-Worth Scale, by age or developmental phase: ages 9–12 (I), 13–16 (II), and 17–22 (III). Regression modeling included main effects and interactions between age/phase, race, and body mass index (BMI). Results Self-worth was greater in black than white women, and greater with lower BMI in both races. In the model with age (“traditional model”) (with race and BMI), significant variables included BMI (inverse relationship) and the interactions between age and race, race and BMI, and the triple interaction between age, race, and BMI. In the model with phase (“transitional model”) (with race and BMI), BMI, and the interactions between BMI and race, and race and phase, were significant. For example, self-worth was generally lower in Phase II (middle adolescence) for white women. Self-esteem tracked significantly (correlation 0.22, p < .001). An individual’s self-worth during any given phase of adolescence was correlated significantly with the other two phases. Conclusions In this longitudinal analysis of self-esteem in adolescent girls, race and BMI are important predictors of self-esteem. Self-esteem is consistent across the phases of adolescence, and comparable with other personality traits. As noted by others, lower levels of self-esteem may increase the vulnerability of adolescents to risky behaviors.

Peer Influences, Body-image Dissatisfaction, Eating Dysfunction and Self-esteem in Adolescent Girls

A sample of 344 adolescent girls completed a variety of measures designed to index the associations among peer influences, body-image dissatisfaction, eating dysfunction and self-esteem. Results indicated that participants were significantly similar to their nominated friends on self-esteem, but not body image or eating disturbance. Peer measures were significantly associated with body dissatisfaction, eating problems and self-esteem. Peer suppression of feelings, internalization of the thin-ideal and appearance comparison were significant mediators in path analyses testing the direct and indirect role of peer influences on outcome variables. Implications for intervention and prevention programs are discussed.

The Relationship Between Friendship Quality and Self-Esteem in Adolescent Girls and Boys

Much has been written about the low self-esteem of adolescent girls relative to adolescent boys, but little research has explored the role that friendship quality may play in affecting self-esteem. Ninety-seven female and 67 male 11th and 12th graders completed measures of self-esteem and of friendship quality with both same- and cross-gender best friends. Ninety-five percent of the participants were White, and ranged across the socioeconomic spectrum with the majority coming from middle-class families. We found that girls' self-esteem was significantly lower than boys' self-esteem and that girls rated their relationships as stronger, more interpersonally rewarding, and more stressful than boys did. Boys reported that their friendship with their best female friend was more interpersonally rewarding than their friendship with their best male friend, whereas girls rated the quality of their same- and cross-gender friends similarly. As expected, girls' self-esteem was positively correlated with the friendship quality of their cross-gender best friend. However, their self-esteem was not correlated with the quality of their same-gender friendship. Boys' self-esteem did not correlate with the quality of their same- or cross-gender best friendship. Results may help us understand the relatively low self-esteem experienced by adolescent girls.