“I’m perfectly imperfect”: Exploring the relationship between PERMA model of wellbeing with self-esteem among persons with disabilities

Abstract

Most of the studies that measure wellbeing using the PERMA Model were from the school context most commonly students and staffs. In the current study, the new model of wellbeing was applied to the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and look for its relationship to self-esteem. PERMA Profiler was used in measuring wellbeing for the PWDs and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale for their self-esteem. For the result, the study found that PWDs have moderately high level of wellbeing despite of their conditions but low level in self-esteem. There is no difference found in overall wellbeing in terms of sexes but in the two pillars Positive Emotion and Accomplishment, they were significant. For the age relationship to overall wellbeing, there is no relationship found between age and overall wellbeing but weak positive relationship to one of its pillars, Accomplishment. Also to the other factors of the PERMA Profiler, Negative Emotion and Loneliness have found weak relationship with age. For the difference of self-esteem in terms of sexes, there is no difference found. There is also no relationship between age and self-esteem. For the relationship between overall wellbeing and self-esteem, there is no relationship found between the two and even the self-esteem to the different pillars of PERMA. But the other factors of PERMA Profiler like Negative Emotion (r=.202, p=.043) and Health (r=.339, p=.001) have found weak relationship. Implications indicate in the discussion part of the study.