title: The effect of free or reduced-price lunches on the self-esteem of middle school students.
abstract: This study proposed to determine whether 52 middle school students who received free or reduced-price meals suffered lower general or area-specific self-esteem than did 52 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students who did not receive such benefits. It further sought to determine whether self-esteem varied according to grade level. Using the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, no significant differences were found for either group at any grade level for general or area-specific self-esteem. Interpersonal process resources, the use of a checklist, short-term relief, defensiveness, and external forces are considered as possible explanations.
authors.affiliation: Northridge Homer School, Ohio 43027.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glovinsky-Fahsholtz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*