Fostering High School Students' Sense of Purpose and Self-Esteem (Poster 20)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Five
  In Poster Session: Division E Counseling Poster Session

Abstract

While there has been much empirical work demonstrating the positive effects of high self-esteem, more research is needed to identify protective factors that contribute to adolescents’ high self-esteem. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which sense of purpose explained variance in adolescents’ self-esteem. Adolescents (N=234) between 14 and 18 years, completed surveys on self-esteem and sense of purpose. Findings showed that sense of purpose as assessed by the dimensions on awareness of purpose and altruistic purpose contributed positively to adolescents’ self-esteem.’ The purpose of AERA presentation will be to discuss the practical implications of this study lie in promoting educational programs that can help adolescents strengthen their self-esteem in relation to their sense of purpose.

Authors

• Gitima Sharma, California State University - Fresno
  Presenting Author

• Mariya Yukhymenko, California State University - Fresno
  Non-Presenting Author