Predictive factors of self-esteem in adolescent girls

The main life skills could promote adolescents' self-esteem. However, to teach all skills requires many resources and prioritization. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate on factors that predict self-esteem in adolescent girls.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 364 student girls aged 12-14 years old in Birjand, Iran  in 2018 using cluster sampling. Data collected using the Life Skills and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaires. Self-esteem was the dependent variable and the ten main life skills were the independent variables. Statistical analysis was performed using regression in order to assess the predictive factors of self-esteem in adolescent girls.

The mean life skills scores was 138.23 ± 80.26 and the mean self-esteem score was 4.98 ± 4.41. Regression analysis showed that among the ten main life skills, self-awareness (p<0/001), interpersonal relationships (p=0/004) and creative thinking (p=0/005) had a significant relationship with self-esteem. Interpersonal relationships influences creative thinking, and they both influence self-awareness. Self-awareness was the strongest predictor. In other words, the adolescent will have a higher self-esteem by knowing more about strengths and weaknesses and desire of themselves.

The findings suggest that in order to improve self-esteem among adolescents the focus should be on teaching self-awareness, interpersonal relationships and creative thinking skills.