Exploring Self-Esteem Levels among Adolescents: A Gender Perspective

Abstract

The study aimed to assess self-esteem levels among adolescents and examine gender differences. An exploratory research design was employed, using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) to measure global self-worth. The sample included 201 adolescents (105 males and 96 females) with a mean age of 15.2 years, drawn from secondary schools in Jorhat, Assam, India. The results showed that a majority of adolescents exhibited average levels of self-esteem, indicating a balanced self-perception in most participants. However, a significant gender difference was observed; male adolescents reported higher self-esteem scores compared to females. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01) through an independent sample t-test. The findings suggest that gender plays a vital role in adolescent self-esteem, potentially influenced by socio-cultural factors such as body image, societal expectations, and peer pressure. The study highlights the need for gender-responsive strategies to support adolescent psychological development.