Factors Influencing Self-esteem of Indian Female Adolescents

Abstract

Much research has been conducted on self-esteem, although mainly in the West. Findings indicate that self-esteem drops sharply in adolescence, more so in girls than boys. Self-esteem is an important determinant of adolescent mental health. Many programs have been created abroad that focus on self-esteem enhancement in adolescents. However interventions developed in the West cannot be implemented in India without modification, given the socio-cultural differences. This study is an attempt to develop an intervention that is apt for the Indian context. As a step in developing such interventions we sought to identify factors that shape the self-esteem of adolescent girls. In-depth interviews were conducted with 32 girls between the ages of 14 and 16 years studying in four government coeducational schools. 17 girls were identified as having high self-esteem while 15 were identified as having low self-esteem. Poor academic self-efficacy, teasing by peers, dissatisfaction with physical appearance, family conflict and gender discrimination in the family were found linked to low self-esteem. On the other hand satisfaction with academic performance and lesser tendency for social comparison were found to be linked with high self-esteem. How this information may contribute in creating an intervention for adolescent girls is further discussed.