The effectiveness of a program designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents of the Rajavithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effectiveness of group activities designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents aged 12-18 years old of the Rajvithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, (experimental group) and the Saraburi Home for Girls, Saraburi, (comparison group).


METHODS
This was quasi-experimental research. Each group was comprised of 36 adolescents. The experimental group participated in numerous activities designed to improve their self-esteem. The activities were conducted over 4 sessions of 2-3 hours duration per session. The self-esteem assessments were conducted before, immediately after the intervention, and 4 weeks henceforth, using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory School Form (CSEI).


RESULTS
Prior to the intervention, neither group showed any difference in its general characteristics including its self- esteem mean scores. Immediately after the intervention and, 4 weeks later, the experimental group had significantly higher self-esteem mean scores than they had prior to intervention (p < 0.001). However the comparison group showed no difference in self-esteem mean scores at both time periods of the post intervention period (p > 0.05). It was also found that the experimental group's self-esteem mean scores were significantly higher than the comparison group's, (p < 0.05) both immediately after the intervention as well as 4 weeks henceforth. The self-esteem mean score at the 4 week post intervention stage remained higher than it was after the intervention, even though there was slight decrease with significant difference (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The research results indicate that the self-esteem level among adolescents could be developed, especially amongst those adolescents in foster homes. Thus related organizations should conduct self-esteem enhancing activities for adolescents in order to strengthen necessary life skills including spiritual health, which are the prerequisites for success in later life.
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Suporn
S
Apinuntavech
Taveeporn
T
Panichpong
Poonsuk
P
Shuaytong
Jarueyporn
J
Suparp
Yowaluk
Y
Ngoenwiwatkul
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D016352:Group Homes; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand