Self-esteem matters: racial & gender differences among rural southern adolescents.
Self-esteem does matter! It matters so much that Oprah dedicated an entire issue of "O" magazine to address the subject. "It's a woman's most treasured possession" (Winfrey, 2000a). Self-esteem has a profound influence on adolescent health promotion behaviors. This study contributes to understanding the role self-esteem plays in the behavior of adolescents. Utilizing a secondary data analysis, race and gender self-esteem differences among adolescents were investigated. The sample of 1,237 students (46% African-American and 52% White) from rural southern areas consisted of 744 females and 493 males. Self-esteem was assessed using the Miller Self-esteem Questionnaire (SEQ). The Hendricks Perceptual Health Promoting Determinants Model (HPHD) provided the theoretical framework for the study. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant difference in various aspects of self-esteem according to race and gender. African-Americans and males had a higher self-esteem which is consistent with many prior studies.
Hendricks
C S
CS
Southern University and A & M College, School of Nursing, P.O. Box 11784, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, USA. constancehendricks@suson,subr.edu
Tavakoli
A
A
Hendricks
D L
DL
Harter
N R
NR
Campbell
K P
KP
L'Ecuyer
R I
RI
Geddings
A A
AA
Hackett
D
D
Byrd
L
L
Mathis
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology