Significant Predictor Of Self-esteem Research Articles

The impact of visual impairments in self-esteem and locus of control

This study investigates the differences between adults with visual impairments and sighted adults with regard to locus of control (LOC) and self-esteem. One hundred and eight adults with visual impairments (blindness or low vision) and fifty-five sighted adults took part in this study. Sighted adults showed a higher score on the self-esteem scale than either the individuals with low vision or with blindness. Moreover, analysis indicated no significant differences amongst the three groups of participants regarding LOC. Significant predictors of self-esteem were vision status and age at loss of sight. Significant predictors of LOC were vision status and independent movement. Findings are discussed with regard to their implications for parents, social workers, teachers, and rehabilitation specialists.

Osobine ličnosti i asertivnost kao prediktori samopoštovanja i socijalne anksioznosti

Predmet ovog istraživanja se odnosi na ispitivanje odnosa osobina ličnosti i asertivnosti sa samopoštovanjem i socijalnom anksioznošću. Uzorak ispitanika je činilo 240 osoba sa teritorije Srbije, kojima je data baterija testova na popunjavanje. Sadržala je upitnike Velikih pet plus dva za merenje osobina ličnosti (VP+2), upitnik za merenje socijalne anksioznosti (SA skala), upitnik za merenje asertivnosti (A skala) i upitnik za merenje samopoštovanja (RSS skala). Podaci su analizirani faktorskom analizom, Pearsonovom korelacijom, regresionom analizom i hijerarhijskom regresionom analizom. Rezultati ovog istraživanja pokazuju da je asertivnost u visokoj značajnoj vezi sa samopoštovanjem i socijalnom anksioznošću, kao i da su osobine ličnosti i asertivnost statistički značajni prediktori samopoštovanja i socijalne anksioznosti. Osnovni značaj ove studije ogleda se u pružanju smernica za rad stručnjacima za mentalno zdravlje koji se bave problematikama koje u sebi sadrže nisko samopoštovanje i visoku socijalnu anksioznost, poput depresije, poremećaja ishrane, problema u interpersonalnom funkcionisanju, da u svoju praksu implementiraju praksu razvijanja veština asertivnosti.

Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Self-Esteem: The Impact of Religiosity

This research examines two factors that have an impact on the self-esteem of African Americans and whites: religion and socioeconomic status (SES). Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households, we find that for whites, belief in the Bible (i.e., that it is the literal word of God) and self-identifying as fundamentalist were significant predictors of self-esteem. For African Americans, belief in the Bible and being Catholic were significant predictors of self-esteem. However, the association between belief in the Bible and self-esteem was stronger for African Americans than whites. SES was positively associated with self-esteem for both groups. The interactions between SES and the measures of religiosity reveal a greater impact on self-esteem for lower SES respondents. This was especially true for African Americans. These findings are discussed in light of the resource compensation hypothesis.

Exploring Object Relations in Hospitalized Children With Caregiver Loss

The empirical literature offers evidence that loss of a caregiver in childhood is a significant predictor of psychopathology in adolescents and adults. There is a paucity of empirical research exploring the intrapsychic effects of caregiver loss in an at-risk population of hospitalized children. The Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale: Global Rating Method (SCORS-G) was used to analyze Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) narratives for five commonly used TAT cards. Narratives were assessed on eight dimensions, including complexity of representations of people, affective quality of representations, emotional investment in relationships, understanding of social causality, experience and management of aggressive impulses, self-esteem, and identity and coherence of self. Interrater reliability was obtained by using three independent raters. On average, the participants reported a mean age of 13 years and 35 percent were females. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs), correlations, and regression analyses show that age is a significant predictor of self-esteem in children who have experienced caregiver loss (R 2 = 0.34, p < .05). Further exploration revealed that depending on how early the loss occurred, IQ was a significant predictor of children's sense of self-esteem (R 2 = 0.84, p < .05) and their emotional investment in relationships (R 2 = −0.78, p < .01). Implications for treatment of children are discussed.

Weight-related Criticism and Self-perceptions among Preadolescents

To examine the relationships among weight-related criticism (WRC), body size perceptions, and body size dissatisfaction among a sample of preadolescent children. A community sample of 382 fifth and sixth graders (M age = 10.8) completed measures of WRC, nonweight-related criticism (NWRC), body size perceptions, body size dissatisfaction, and general self-esteem. Body mass index for each participant was collected during a standard school assessment. WRC was a significant and unique predictor of body size perceptions and body size dissatisfaction, controlling for actual BMI percentile and NWRC. Weight status moderated these relationships, with significant effects for WRC found only in the overweight group. NWRC was a significant predictor of self-esteem. The results suggest that WRC is specifically and uniquely associated with preadolescent children's body self-perceptions beyond its association with general, nonweight-related victimization. Prevention efforts may be needed to limit WRC and its potentially harmful effects.

Examining the relationship between multiple internalized oppressions and African American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning persons' self-esteem and psychological distress.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) persons come from diverse cultural groups with diverse racial and ethnic identities. However, most research on LGBQ persons has used primarily White samples, and most research on African Americans has used largely heterosexual samples. Thus, research has largely failed to attend to and investigate the complexity of African American LGBQ persons' experiences. This study examined the relations between multiple internalized oppressions and African American sexual minority persons' self-esteem and psychological distress. Results indicated that when examined together, internalized racism and internalized heterosexism (also known as internalized homophobia) were both significant negative predictors of self-esteem, but only internalized heterosexism was a unique positive predictor of psychological distress. The interaction of internalized racism and internalized heterosexism was not a significant predictor of self-esteem or psychological distress. Finally, the authors' findings indicate that self-esteem partially mediates the relationship between internalized heterosexism and psychological distress.

Cultivating Consciousness Among Black Women

This study was conducted to assess the relationship between political ideology and self-esteem among African American female college students. From a historically Black university, 164 women were sampled. A series of standard multiple regression were employed to assess the relationship between political ideology, age, and self-esteem. Results of the study indicated that Black Nationalism was a significant predictor of self-esteem and that age was not a significant predictor of Black Nationalism. The findings of this study suggest that a political ideology may be predictive of well-being in African American women. Future research needs to assess the impact of maturation in the development of political ideology across the lifespan. Furthermore, research on Black women’s political ideas may contribute to the literature and broaden our understanding of what factors precede a strong Black identity and, subsequently, affect psychological health.

Black Studies and Political Ideology as Predictors of Self-Esteem

This article assesses the relationship between enrollment in Black studies courses, political ideology, and self-esteem in Black college students. Although a number of studies have focused on racial identity and self-esteem, few have investigated how a race-first political consciousness among African Americans develops and whether it is related to healthier psychological outcomes. To elucidate the relationship between Black nationalism, Black studies courses, and self-esteem, 231 students from an historically Black college in the Southeast are sampled. Preliminary analysis indicates enrollment in Black studies courses is related to nationalism and self-esteem. However, subsequent regression analysis controlling for classification indicates enrollment in Black studies courses is not a significant predictor of self-esteem or Black nationalism. Black nationalism predicted self-esteem, and older African American students reported higher nationalism scores. The findings suggest early exposure to Black studies courses among students may prove beneficial and predictive of psychological well-being in African American college students.

Self-Esteem in Children and Adolescents After Septic Shock Caused by Neisseria meningitidis: Scars Do Matter

Purpose To investigate self-esteem and its relation to scars, amputations, and orthopedic sequelae in children and adolescents long term after meningococcal septic shock (MSS) caused by Neisseria meningitidis. Methods The Dutch versions of the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPP-C; 8–11 years) and the Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents (SPP-A; 12–17 years) were used to assess self-esteem. The Patient and Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS) was used to evaluate scar severity. Results MSS boys aged 8–11 years achieved higher, more favorable scores on self-esteem, whereas same-aged MSS girls reported comparable levels of self-esteem compared with the respectively same-aged reference boys and girls. MSS boys and girls aged 12–17 years obtained unfavorable scores on self-esteem compared with respectively same-aged reference boys and girls. Overall gender did not have an effect on self-esteem. Severity of illness, age at time of illness, and age at time of follow-up were not significant predictors of self-esteem. MSS adolescents with scars reported lower global self-worth than MSS adolescents without scars. The worse MSS children evaluated their scars, the worse their outcomes on social acceptance. The worse MSS adolescents evaluated their scars, the worse their outcomes on close friendship, but the better their outcomes on social acceptance and behavioral conduct. Conclusion In this cross-sectional study, favorable outcomes for self-esteem were found in MSS children, whereas MSS adolescents reported lower self-esteem compared with reference adolescents. Adolescents with scars reported lower global self-worth than MSS adolescents without scars.

Sex, Body-Esteem and Self-Esteem

This study investigated the relationship between body-esteem and self-esteem among 215 young men and women (ages 18 to 25 years). It was expected that concern with weight and shape would be strongly associated with women's self-esteem, while men's self-esteem would be more closely linked to concerns about their fitness. Multiple regression analyses indicated that perceived attractiveness and the salience of weight and shape were significant predictors of self-esteem among women. Among men, the significant predictors of self-esteem were perceived attractiveness, body disparagement, and perceived strength and fitness.

Nine years after child sexual abuse

Objective: During 1988–1990, 103 children presented to Child Protection Units (CPU) at two children’s hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Nine years later, the psychological adjustment of these young people (mean age=19.1 years, SD=3.4 years; range=14–25 years) was compared with that of non-abused young people of similar age and gender to assess group differences and examine potential risk factors. Method: At intake, data on the nature of the index sexual abuse, demographics and the family environment were collected by clinicians. A comparison group, of similar age and gender, was selected from schools in the catchment area of the CPUs. Six years after presentation for the abuse, records of the statutory child protection authority were checked to determine any further notifications for abuse and/or neglect. Nine years after intake, 49 of the abused young people and 68 of the non-abused young people and/or their parents were interviewed and assessed. Results: The sexually abused young people performed more poorly than non-abused young people on psychometric tests of depression ( p=.001), self-esteem ( p<.001), anxiety ( p<.001), behavior (Child Behavior Checklist: p=.01; Youth Self Report: p=.01; Young Adult Self Report: p<.001), and despair ( p=.001). They were also more likely to have a history of bingeing ( p=.002), self-inducing vomiting ( p=.02), smoking cigarettes ( p=.01), and using amphetamines ( p=.002), ecstasy ( p=.002) and cocaine ( p=.004). Potential risk factors were in two groups, family and child. Family factors: family functioning, parental drug/alcohol problems, mother’s sexual abuse history, mother’s depression and socio-economic status. Child factors: despair and hopefulness, number of negative life events, ratings of their father’s care, previous notifications for child sexual abuse and placements in out-of-home care by the statutory child protection authority. In the presence of other risk factors, child sexual abuse was a significant predictor of self-esteem, behavior and bingeing. Conclusions: Rather than focusing only on the individual’s child sexual abuse, treatment may also need to address the family’s functioning and the individual’s feelings of despair.

Special section on stigma as a barrier to recovery: Introduction.

The Surgeon General’s 1999 report on mental health (1) determined stigma to be “the most formidable obstacle to future progress in the arena of mental illness and health” and concluded, “For our nation to reduce the burden of mental illness . . . stigma must no longer be tolerated.” In keeping with the spirit of that report, the aim of this special section is to elucidate the adverse effects of stigmatization on the recovery of people with mental illness. In focusing on stigma as a barrier to recovery, we intend to highlight the potential role of stigma both in reducing the effectiveness of efforts at psychosocial rehabilitation—for example, psychopharmacology combined with social skills training—and in impeding the restoration of self-esteem, a sense of purpose, and a better quality of life for persons with mental illness (2–4). Although we cannot address the full range of ways in which stigma potentially limits the prospects of recovery for persons with mental illness, the papers in this section were chosen to represent central areas of concern for persons with mental illness: treatment-adherence behavior, self-esteem management, and social adjustment. The first paper, by Dr. Sirey and her colleagues (5), examines the impact of perceptions of stigmatization on compliance with medication regimens among persons with major depression in the first three months of psychiatric outpatient treatment. These authors found that higher levels of perceived stigma at the start of treatment predicted poorer compliance with the prescribed antidepressant drug regimen over the next three months, after sociodemographic and clinical characteristics had been controlled for. In the second paper, Dr. Link and his associates (6) describe how they tested alternative hypotheses to explain temporal associations between perceived stigma and self-esteem among members of a clubhouse that served people with severe and persistent mental illness. Controlling for baseline self-esteem and depression, these authors found that each of two indexes of stigma that were assessed at baseline—a sense of being discriminated against or devalued and social withdrawal because of stigma—was an independent and significant predictor of self-esteem at six and 24 months. By contrast, self-esteem predicted only one of the two stigma variables at the six-month follow-up only. In the third paper, my colleagues and I (7) evaluate the effect of concerns about stigma on social adaptation among persons with bipolar disorder. We found that concerns about stigma reported during an acute phase of illness were associated with significantly poorer social adjustment seven months later, even after baseline social adaptation and clinical status had been controlled for. This effect was specific to social interaction with individuals outside the family.

Who Fares Better?

ABSTRACT This research used data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) to examine the factors that contribute to later self-esteem and locus of control for adolescent mothers and adolescent fathers. The sample consisted of 421 adolescents (94 males and 327 females) who gave birth before or during 1979. Few differences were found between adolescent mothers' and adolescent fathers' scores. Findings indicated that adolescent fathers were adjusting slightly better than adolescent mothers, though both have low self-esteem. Mothers had significantly lower (more external) locus of control scores than fathers did in 1979. Predictors of adolescents' adjustment differed between the mothers and the fathers. For adolescent fathers, mothers' education was a significant predictor of self-esteem, while for adolescent mothers, subsequent pregnancies and adolescents' own education were significant predictors.

Predicting well-being among breast cancer survivors.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to test a conceptual model that predicts well-being among women who have survived breast cancer. The model was derived from empirical research findings that identified health care orientation, uncertainty, social support, resourcefulness and self-esteem as significant predictors of well-being in persons diagnosed with cancer. The convenience sample was of 84 women who had completed primary treatment for breast cancer and were currently disease-free. After informed consent was obtained each woman completed six questionnaires which measured the study variables. Multiple regression techniques were used to empirically test the predicted conceptual relationships and to estimate predictive validity for the model. Findings indicated that uncertainty and social support were significant predictors of resourcefulness and explained 12% of the variance in resourcefulness. Resourcefulness and social support were significant predictors of self-esteem and explained 33% of the variance in self-esteem. In combination, social support, resourcefulness, and self-esteem were significant predictors of well-being and explained 42% of the variance in well-being. Health care orientation was not a significant variable. This study confirmed hypotheses and provided insight into the variables that significantly influence well-being in women who have survived breast cancer. Recommendations for practice are given with suggestions made for further research.

Ethnic and American Identity as Predictors of Self-Esteem Among African American, Latino, and White Adolescents

In order to examine ethnic and American identity as predictors of self-esteem among adolescents, we surveyed 669 American-born high school students (372 Latinos, 232 African Americans, and 65 Whites). Participants completed measures of self-esteem, ethnic identity, American identity, attitudes toward other groups, and demographic variables. Multiple regression analyses of self-esteem were carried out separately for each ethnic group, using ethnic and American identity, other-group attitudes, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and grade point average as predictors. Results indicated that for all groups ethnic identity was a significant predictor of self-esteem. For the White students only, American identity was a strong predictor of self-esteem and was highly correlated with ethnic identity. Other predictors varied across ethnic groups. Although ethnic identity was a significant predictor of self-esteem, it accounted for a relatively small proportion of the variance, suggesting the importance of other influences on self-esteem.

Predictors of Self Esteem Among Members of Women for Sobriety

One goal of alcohol treatment for women is enhancement of their feelings about themselves, and a treatment approach that explicitly addresses this challenge is Women For Sobriety (WFS). This paper reports on the results of the first WFS membership survey, conducted in 1991 (n = 600; response rate = 73%). Results were similar to those from longitudinal research which found about a 20% improvement in self esteem in the first year of sobriety. Significant predictors of self esteem included endorsement of the WFS programmatic beliefs and practices, use of those beliefs and practices in every day life, disbelief in AA's first step (powerless over alcohol), and length of time in WFS and length of time sober.

Are positive illusions necessary for self-esteem: a research note

Research on variables associated with mental health has recently suggested that the judicious use of positive illusions, rather than an accurate perception of reality, is a significant predictor of self-esteem. This study, using 114 university students, suggested that for certain individuals low use of positive illusions can also be associated with high self-esteem and psychological adjustment.

Seizure frequency, patient-perceived seizure severity and the psychosocial consequences of intractable epilepsy

It is generally recognised that the assessment of treatment effects in epilepsy using seizure frequency as the only outcome measure may lack sensitivity. A patient-based seizure severity scale has been developed and initial results confirm its reliability and validity. As part of the further development of this scale it is important to explore the relationship between seizure severity, seizure frequency and the psychosocial consequences of intractable epilepsy. One hundred patients with medically refractory partial seizures completed a quality of life questionnaire including measures of physical (seizure severity and frequency), social and psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, self-esteem, locus of control and happiness). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that individual psychological variables were best predicted by other psychological variables. However, when these were removed from analysis, seizure severity was the most significant predictor of self-esteem ( P = 0.005), locus of control ( P = 0.039) and anxiety ( P = 0.048). Seizure frequency did not contribute significantly to the variance of any of the psychological factors. These results highlight the importance of considering seizure severity when assessing treatment effects in epilepsy and provide further evidence for the construct validity of a novel patient-based seizure severity scale.

Determinants of Self-Esteem in Children with Congenital/Acquired Limb Deficiencies

Social support, family functioning, self-perceptions of appearance, school, behavior, athletics, and social competence, as well as daily hassles/microstressors, were investigated as determinants of general self-esteem in 41 children with congenital/acquired limb deficiencies. Classmate, parent, teacher, and friend social support all were significant predictors of self-esteem. Family conflict and organization were also significantly associated with self-esteem, as were microstressors. The overall model of significant predictor variables accounted for 66% of the variance in general self-esteem. General self-esteem also was significantly predictive of depressive symptomatology. The findings suggest a number of factors which are potentially modifiable and which might enhance general self-esteem in children with visible physical handicaps.

The Relationship between Identity Development and Self-Esteem during the Late Adolescent Years: Sex Differences

The purpose of the two studies reported in this paper was to examine the relationship between identity and self-esteem development during the late adolescent years. Subjects in Study 1 completed the Inventory of Psychosocial Development and a semantic differential measure of four components of self-esteem. Using a backwards stepwise multiple regression procedure the IPD scales that were significant predictors of the self-esteem measures were identified for males and for females. The subjects in the second study completed the same instruments. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine if the scales found to be significant predictors of self-esteem in the first study also predicted self-esteem in the second study. This was generally found to be the case except for the Masculinity/Femininity component of self-esteem for males. The findings were interpreted as demonstrating that resolution of identity issues has important implications for self-esteem, and that identity is differentially related to self-esteem for males and females.