The effect of life skills training on self-esteem in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

Promoting self-esteem and changing attitudes in students could immunize them against mental damages. This study was aimed to examine the effects of teaching life skills on self-esteem increase in students of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences (SKUMS).
In this clinical trial conducted as a semi-experimental study on 60 students in SKUMS after the population homogeneity was confirmed, the students were randomly assigned into two case and control groups (of 30 each). A pretest of self-esteem was given to them using Coppersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and then a teaching program consisting of workshops on life skills was held for case group. Then, a post-test of self-esteem was given to the two groups by the same questionnaire and the results were compared.
Mean score of self-esteem in control group was 30.3±8.6 prior to training and 30.7±8.4 after training, which indicated no statistically significant difference. Mean score of self-esteem in case group was 31.6±7.4 prior to training and 47.1±6.7 after training, which indicated a significant difference compared to prior to training and the case group (P According to the results of this study, teaching life skills to cope with difficulties, to control anger, to welcome criticisms, and to promote students’ self-esteem should be paid attention by universities.