Document Detail


Concurrent and longitudinal predictors of self-esteem in elementary and middle school girls.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20529197     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of factors related to self-esteem, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, among 2 cohorts of girls over a period of 4 years, from elementary through middle school. METHODS: A multiethnic sample of 656 elementary school girls recruited from 13 schools in Hayward, CA, and Tucson, AZ, was evaluated annually over a 4-year period. The McKnight Risk Factor Survey IV was administered, which consists of 103 questions that assess self-esteem, appearance appraisal, effect of body changes, depressed mood, teasing, school performance, and other factors. In addition, participants' heights and weights were measured. RESULTS: The most important predictor of self-esteem in each grade was appearance appraisal, and, in all grades but the eighth, weight-related teasing by either boys or girls was also a predictor of self-esteem. Teasing about weight was more important than body weight itself in predicting self-esteem. Self-esteem was lower in girls who were teased about their weight, even if they believed that it had no effect on how they felt about themselves. School performance predicted self-esteem in grades 6 and 8. In longitudinal analyses, the participant's current perception of her appearance was more important than her previous level of self-esteem in predicting current self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the need to allocate funding to address the issue of teasing as 1 of the stressors in the school environment, and to explore further the important relationship between school performance and self-esteem.
Authors:
Randa M Kutob; Janet H Senf; Marjorie Crago; Catherine M Shisslak
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Journal of school health     Volume:  80     ISSN:  1746-1561     ISO Abbreviation:  J Sch Health     Publication Date:  2010 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-06-10     Completed Date:  2010-09-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376370     Medline TA:  J Sch Health     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  240-8     Citation Subset:  IM; N    
Affiliation:
College of Medicine, Arizona Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, PO Box 245052, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. rkutob@email.arizona.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Age Factors
Arizona
Body Weight
California
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Longitudinal Studies
Self Concept*
Students

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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