Impact of Social Factors on Self-Esteem
Introduction
In a society where individuals are judged on the basis in which they communicate, dress, score and achieve, self-esteem is an important aspect to consider. Generally understood as a concept related to self-regard, self-esteem is closely linked with the overall functioning and well-being of individuals. This concept ripens from initial years depicting age to be an important determinant of self-esteem. This learnt behavior is then expressed in adulthood in various situations. For this reason, scenarios like fat girls being conscious about their dressing and fretting upon relationships are quite usual. Research talks about the indirect link between esteem and body image. Moreover, scholars have also found that people with high self-regard and esteem are seen to have lower rates of depression and stress and have better coping abilities. Tsai (2001) says that males score higher in esteem as compared to females that is generally true for societies where patriarchy persists and where beauty ideals dictate the world. In addition, studies have also pointed at the fact that socialization positively contributes to a higher self-esteem where number of friends make a huge difference (Lampe, 2008). As a matter of fact, studies outline a mixed picture of various variables. Considering the importance of esteem and its impact on the functioning as well as well-being of individuals, this study aims at investigating the impact of key social factors like number of friends, online activity, perceived academic performance and body image on self-esteem. The study will however help scholars, authorities, therapists and individuals understand the ways in which self-esteem is affected that will enable them to make consequent changes in the way they lead and preach about life.
Methodology
While examining the effect of social factors on self-esteem, this research undertook an explanatory approach where online questionnaire was used to collect data from university students between ages 18 to 35. Snowball sampling has been incorporated in the study to collect data where each psychology student was asked to refer two other students to participate in the study. The questionnaire was framed in a manner in which it addressed aspects of body image, online activity, number of friends where demographic details was also obtained. The tool also used the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965) that was the main purpose of the study. The participants were told that the information obtained will remain confidential and solely be used for academic purpose.
Discussion
The current paper analyzes the variables of age having a mean of 236.47 months and mode 234 months, number of close friends with a mean of 13.47 and mode of 10 friends and hours spent online with a mean of 5 hours and mode of 3. This is shown in figure 1.
Since this study tends to assess the impact of various factors on self-esteem, it was hypothesized that number of close friends, body image, hours spent online, and perceived academic performance do not strongly predict self-esteem. Results as displayed by figure 2 and 3 respectively show that number of close friends (r=.712) and body image (r= .592) are strongly correlated with self-esteem and as compared to other factors like number of hours spent online and perceived academic performance. According to Lampe (2008), the number of friends and close friendships add in to the level of self-esteem amongst individuals as they are the source of support, advice and affection.
Hence, null hypothesis that close friends and body image do not predict self-esteem is rejected and alternate hypothesis that close friends and body image are strong predictors holds true. Significant variables like body image (22%) and number of close friends (61%) are the strongest predictors of self-esteem as conspicuous from figure 4. However, null hypothesis that hours spent online and perceived academic performance do not predict self-esteem is accepted, all variables of this study have a strong correlation with self-esteem. This is shown by the regression equation Y=a+ bX= 10.342+.617x and 10.342+.220x
It was also hypothesized that there is no significant difference between the self-esteem of males and females:
Ho: u1=u2
Ha: u1>u2
An independent t-samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean score for self-esteem of males and females as shown in figure 5. Results show that there is no significant difference between the mean scores for males (M= 22.35, S.D= 3.455) and females (M=20.26, S.D= 4.74); t (27) = 1.34, p=.19, two-tailed. The magnitude of the mean of genders= 2.09. 95% Cl: -1.09 to 5.27. This result was however did not support the findings of the researchers who found males with a higher self-esteem (Tsai, 2001).
Conclusion
Self-esteem is directly related to the well-being of individuals that is highly essential for sound healthy life. This study however, found that number of close friends and body image are strong predictors of esteem. Changes in these determinants cause a consequent change in esteem. As a matter of fact, the present study did not see gender as a variable determining esteem. Thus, parents, teachers and elders must understand the importance of esteem and may adhere to an approach that fosters it amongst individuals. This will eventually result in a serene healthy society.
Works Cited
Lampe, C. “Social capital, self-esteem, and the use of online social network sites: A longitudinal analysis”. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 29 (2008): 434-445. Print
Rosenberg, M. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. NJ: Princeton, 1965. Print.
APPENDICES
Figure 1: Mean Mode & Median
Figure 2: Correlation- body image and esteem
Figure 3: Correlation- number of close friends and esteem
Figure 4: Regression analysis
Figure 5: Self-esteem of males and females
