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Measuring Self-Esteem 1
Running head: MEASURING SELF-ESTEEM INADOLESCENTS
Measuring Self-Esteem of Adolescents Based on Academic Performance
Grambling State University
Measuring Self-Esteem 2
Problem Studied
Self-esteem is a very critical issue in regards to academic performance in school.
It is considered a person’s overall evaluation or judgment of his or her own self-worth. If an
individual has low self-esteem it causes him/her not to use the best of their capabilities. The self-
worth of that individual also creates insecurities which allow him/her not to reach their full
potential. Therefore academic performance in school begins to decline. However, if an individual
thinks highly of oneself and view themselves in a more positive aspect, they will achieve more
accomplishments and perform better in school. An individual’s belief of his/her self-worth is
important throughout life. In order to continue working, living, striving, and excelling in school,
one must not think negative of themselves, but be optimistic. It is very important because it
affects how you think, act and even how you relate to other people. It affects your potential to be
successful. Researchers chose to study the impact of self-esteem on academic performance
because self esteem effects whether or not you are confident, happy, highly motivated and have
the right attitude to succeed throughout your academic performance.
Research Methodology
Design
The research design in this study is a survey design that observes the behaviors and
beliefs of specific groups identified, reported, and interpreted. This study utilizes the application
of a mixture of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Sample
The sample was obtained at Gibsland Coleman High School’s Twenty-First Century after
Measuring Self-Esteem 3
school tutorial program. Participants selected to take part in the survey were not representative of
the school’s student body. The sample consisted of Jr. High and high school students in 6th
through 10th grade that were selected to participate in this study. The students participating were
not required to complete a parental consent form; however, formal permission was requested and
obtained by the schools higher administrative staff to administer surveys. The students in this
sample were provided a letter of intent describing the instructions, purpose, goals, and
measurements associated with the survey. By this, the students participating were encouraged to
express their values, beliefs, and concerns regarding self esteem and academic performance.
Surveys were disseminated to students who attended Gibsland Coleman High School’s, Twenty-
First Century after school tutorial program. All students attending the after school program
completed a survey. The actual composition of the participants consisted of 17 sixth graders, 24
seventh graders, 18 eighth graders, 15 ninth graders, and 30 tenth graders. The sample consisted
of 50 junior high and high school students attending Gibsland Coleman High School, located in
Gibsland, Louisiana, however; 25 of the 50 students were randomly selected during data
analysis. The participants ranged in age from 12-16 years of age. Twenty-five surveys were
randomly selected by utilizing the simple random sampling process in which all fifty surveys
were placed in a box and only twenty-five were selected and examined.
Method of Data Collection
The method of data collection utilized was self administered surveys. The survey
consisted of twenty one variables including six demographics in nature and the remaining fifteen
questions were used to answer the research question. For the purpose of this study, academic
achievement was measured through the cumulative grade point average (CGPA). The CGPA was
calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points by the number of classes taken. Self
Measuring Self-Esteem 4
esteem was measured by a revised version of the Project Self, Self Esteem Scale (PSSES). This
scale consisted of 15 questions designed to measure self esteem exhibited in Table 2. Responses
to this scale were made on a 3 point likert scale ranging from strongly agrees to strongly
disagree. Scoring for these items were represented from lowest to high percentile ranging from
0-75. Thus, the lower the self esteem the lower the average number on the instrument and vice
versa.
Data Analysis
Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Due to the nature of
the project, time constraints, and unavailability of access to resources, the researchers were not
able to utilize the statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) to perform the analysis of the
data. However, the researchers were able to analyze and interpret the raw data received
manually. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the demographic variables of gender,
race/ethnicity, grade point average, sports to identify central tendencies and percentages for key
variables.
Preliminary results informed us that while 92% of the males agreed that they did not
depend on others for happiness, only 50% of the females did. A 2 x 2 Chi Square analysis
revealed that there is a statistically significant relationship, x2 (1, N = 25) = 5.53, p =0.05,
suggesting that there was a relationship between gender and whether or not the students depend
on others for happiness. Self esteem is possibly linked to gender.
Findings
The purpose of the study was to examine and measure the self esteem of adolescent
students based on academic performance. Research was conducted in a rural northwestern part of
the region located in Gibsland, Louisiana. The sample of 50 students was obtained from students
Measuring Self-Esteem 5
participating in the “21st Century after School Tutorial Program at Gibsland Coleman High
School. Formal consent to administer survey was obtained through school officials. Student
participants completed a two part questionnaire consisting of a demographic section and PSSES
tool measuring self esteem. Chi Square statistics was utilized to determine a measure of
association between two single variables G.P.A and a Self Esteem question of whether or not a
student tends to depend on others for happiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the test statistic, x2 (obtained) =2.67, does not fall into the critical region,
which, for alpha=0.05, df=degrees of freedom is 8 begins at x2 (critical) of 15.51. Therefore, we
fail to reject the null hypothesis. The observed frequencies are not significantly different from
the frequencies we would expect to find if the variables were dependent and only random chance
were operating. Based on these sample results displayed in Table 1, we can conclude that the
academic performance of adolescent students is not dependent on whether or not they tend to
depend on others for happiness.
Measuring Self-Esteem 6
Appendix ATable 1 Chi Square Bi-variate Analysis
Table 2 Percentage Breakdown of Survey Items
Measuring Self-Esteem 7
Table 1Chi Square for Variable 1= GPA(Grade Point Average) and Variables 2= I tend to depend onothers for happiness.
Chi Square Test Statistic
Agreement A B C D F Rows
Somewhat Agree
Cell A(fe=.4)(fo=1)
Cell B(fe=1.36)(fo= 1)
Cell C(fe=.24)(fo=0)
Cell D(fe & fo =0)
Cell E(fe & fo =0) R1=2
Agree
Cell F(fe=1)(fo=0)
Cell G(fe=3.4)( fo=4)
Cell H(fe=.6)(fo=1)
Cell I(fe & fo =0)
Cell J(fe & fo =0) R2=5
Disagree
Cell K(fe=3.6)(fo=4)
Cell L(fe=12)(fo=12)
Cell M(fe=2.16)(fo=2)
Cell N(fe & fo =0)
Cell O(fe & fo =0) R3=18
Columns C1=5 C2=17 C3=3 C4=0 C5=0 n=25
Table 2Percentage Breakdown of Survey Items
Questions Somewhat Agree Agree Disagree 100%I tend to say yes when I really want to say no. 28% 32% 40% 100%I set my goals and stick to them. 32% 56% 12% 100%Most people like me and enjoy being around me. 16% 64% 20% 100%I feel good about my appearance. 4% 84% 12% 100%I feel my life has meaning. 8% 84% 8% 100%My problems seem overwhelming to me. 32% 24% 44% 100%I tend to depend on others for happiness. 12% 16% 72% 100%I'm good at solving problems. 36% 52% 12% 100%I can talk to people without feeling nervous. 36% 56% 8% 100%I find it easy to say good things about myself. 4% 84% 12% 100%
Measuring Self-Esteem 8
Appendix BFigure 1 Sex of RespondentsFigure 2 Respondents GPA
Measuring Self-Esteem 9
Figure 1 Pie ChartSex of Respondents (N=25)
Figure 2 Pie ChartRespondents GPA
Measuring Self-Esteem 10
Appendix CTable 3 Demographics of Respondents
Measuring Self-Esteem 11
Table 3Demographicsof Respondents
Student Sex Grade Race GPA Sport Age
A Male 9th African American C Basketball 15
B Male 8th African American C Basketball 14
C Female 9th Other C Basketball 16
D Female 8th African American B Other 13
E Male 7th African American B Basketball 13
F Male 9th African American B No Sport 16
G Male 10th African American B Basketball 15
H Female 8th African American B Basketball 14
I Male 8th African American B No sport 14
J Female 8th African American B No Sport 15
K Female 7th African American B Basketball 13
L Male 7th African American B Basketball 13
M Female 7th African American B No Sport 12
N Female 8th African American B Other 14
O Male 8th African American B Basketball 14
P Male 7th African American B Basketball 13
Q Female 10th African American B Basketball 15
R Male 7th African American B Basketball 13
S Female 8th African American B Basketball 13
T Male 9th African American B Basketball 14
U Female 10th African American A Basketball 16
V Female 10th African American A Basketball 15
W Male 10th African American A Basketball 16
X Male 8th African American A Basketball 14
Y Female 10th African American A Basketball 15
Measuring Self-Esteem 12
Appendix DTables 4-19 Frequency Tables for Variables
Measuring Self-Esteem 13
Table 4Sex of Respondents, Self Esteem Survey
Sex TalliesFrequency(f)
Male ///////////// 13
Female //////////// 12
N=25Table 5Grade of Respondents,Self-Esteem Survey
Grade TalliesFrequency
(f)CumulativeFrequency Percentage
Cumulative
Percentage
6th 0 0 0% 0%
7th ////// 6 6 24% 24%
8th ///////// 9 15 36% 60%
9th //// 4 19 16% 76%
10th ////// 6 25 24% 100%
N=25 100%
Table 6Race of Respondents,Self-Esteem Survey
Race TalliesFrequency
(f)CumulativeFrequency Percentage
Cumulative
Percentage
African American //////////////////////// 24 24 96% 96%
Asian American 0 24 0% 96%
Caucasian American 0 24 0% 96%
Hispanic American 0 24 0% 96%
Other / 1 25 4% 100%
N=25 100%
Measuring Self-Esteem 14
Table 7GPA of Respondents, Self-Esteem Survey
GPA TalliesFrequency
(f)CumulativeFrequency Percentage
CumulativePercentage
A ///// 5 5 20% 20%
B ///////////////// 17 22 68% 88%
C /// 3 25 12% 100%
D 0 25 0% 100%
F 0 25 0% 100%
N=25 100%
Table 8
Sport of Respondents, Self-Esteem Survey
Sport TalliesFrequency
(f)CumulativeFrequency Percentage
CumulativePercentage
Basketball /////////////////// 19 19 76% 76%
Football 0 19 0% 76%
Track 0 19 0% 76%
Other // 2 21 8% 84%
No Sport //// 4 25 16% 100%
N=25 100%
Table 9
Age of Respondents, Self-Esteem Survey
Age TalliesFrequency
(f)CumulativeFrequency Percentage
CumulativePercentage
12 / 1 1 4% 4%
13 /////// 7 8 28% 32%
14 /////// 7 15 28% 60%
15 ////// 6 21 24% 84%
16 //// 4 25 16% 100%
N=25 100%
Measuring Self-Esteem 15
Table 10I tend to say yes when I really want to say no.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage
(0) Somewhat Agree 7 28%
(1) Agree 8 32%
(2) Disagree 10 40%
N=25 100%
Table 11I set my goals and stick to them.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage
(0) Somewhat Agree 8 32%
(1) Agree 14 56%
(2) Disagree 3 12%
N=25 100%
Table 12Most people like me and enjoy being around me.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage
(0) Somewhat Agree 4 16%
(1) Agree 16 64%
(2) Disagree 5 20%
N=25 100%
Table 13I feel good about my appearance.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage
(0) Somewhat Agree 1 4%
(1) Agree 21 84%
(2) Disagree 3 12%
N=25 100%
Table 14I feel my life has meaning.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage(0) Somewhat Agree 2 8%
(1) Agree 21 84%(2) Disagree 2 8%
N=25 100%
Measuring Self-Esteem 16
Table 15My problems seem overwhelming to me.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage(0) Somewhat Agree 8 32%
(1) Agree 6 24%(2) Disagree 11 44%
N=25 100%
Table 16I tend to depend on others for happiness.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage(0) Somewhat Agree 3 12%
(1) Agree 4 16%(2) Disagree 18 72%
N=25 100%
Table 17I'm good at solving problems.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage(0) Somewhat Agree 9 36%
(1) Agree 13 52%(2) Disagree 3 12%
N=25 100%
Table 18I can talk to people without feeling nervous.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage(0) Somewhat Agree 9 36%
(1) Agree 14 56%(2) Disagree 2 8%
N=25 100%
Measuring Self-Esteem 17
Table 19I find it easy to say good things about myself.
Agreement Frequency (f) Percentage(0) Somewhat Agree 1 4%
(1) Agree 21 84%(2) Disagree 3 12%
N=25 100%