title: Effects of self-esteem improvement program on self-esteem and peer attachment in elementary school children with observed problematic behaviors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a self-esteem improvement program on self-esteem and peer attachment in elementary school children with observed problematic behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group pretest-post-test design. A total of 47 fourth grade elementary school students participated in this study. The program was provided for 45 minutes once a week; a total of 12 sessions were completed with a group in the classroom for the experimental group. Child Problem-Behavior Screening Questionnaire was used to measure problematic behavior. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg's Self-esteem Questionnaire, and peer attachment was measured using the Inventory of Parent and Attachment. Measuring was performed right after the program was done (post 1) and 1 month after the program was finished (post 2). To compare the differences in self-esteem and peer attachment between groups, repeated measures analysis of variance was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants in the experimental group were 10 years old (62.5%, range 10-11), male (52.0%) and with middle grade point average (64.0%). The self-esteem scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (F = 26.64, p < .001). The peer attachment scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (F = 6.48, p = .014).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The self-esteem improvement program in this study improved the self-esteem and peer attachment in elementary school children. The self-esteem program helped acknowledge the peer's name and increased their connections. The program needs to be considered as a formal and consistent program.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea; Research Institute of Nursing Science, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea; Research Institute of Nursing Science, Keimyung University, Daegu, South Korea. Electronic address: hopark@gw.kmu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Heeok
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: behavior; children; schools; self-esteem