"In the Looking Glass": Adolescent Girls and Self-Esteem
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Authors
Kearney, Kathleen
Issue Date
2000
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This non-experimental research study used correlational methods to analyze and search for relationships between demographic characteristics of adolescent girls, their particular family structure, their ethnic backgrounds, and their levels of self-esteem. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965, 1989) determined the self-esteem levels. This scale measures a unidimensional, global concept of self-esteem. Participants were recruited from the Sophomore and Junior classes (10th and 11th grade) of an all-girl high school in San Mateo County. After receiving parental consent, each student interested in participating completed a demographic questionnaire and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Of the 163 possible students, 129 (79 percent) useable questionnaires were returned. The study found statistically significant relationships (lower self-esteem) between adolescent girls from single-parent homes when compared to adolescent girls from nuclear families. No significant relationships were found in the levels of self-esteem when comparing adolescent girls from the dominant (White) culture as compared to adolescent girls from all other ethnic backgrounds. Other demographic characteristics were not found to relate to levels of self-esteem, except for annual income level. Annual family income of less than $40,000 was found to significantly negatively impact the level of self-esteem in adolescent girls, as compared to the self-esteem of adolescent girls whose family income was over $40,000. Limitations of the study and methodology were presented.