Adolescent Self Esteem

The study by Steese et al. (2006) included 63 adolescent girls with a mean age of 13. The program met for ten weeks. Each session featured a different topic, such as relationships and friendship. Results of the study indicate that self-esteem measures between testing were not significant, but several related concepts proved to be. Self-efficacy attitudes did significantly improve after treatment and can be linked to positive self-esteem. An explanation for their results is the possibility that the short duration of time could not change girls’ levels of self-esteem. “Every Body is Somebody” is another program (McVey & Davis, 2002) with the goal of improving several areas in participants’ lives, including body image satisfaction, eating behaviors, and self-esteem. In a replication study of the program’s effectiveness, McVey, et al. (2003) recruited a sample of 258 girls whose mean age was 11 years and who were all within 10% of the average body weight for their age. The program met once a week for six weeks. Results of the study demonstrated that the program had a positive impact on the girls’ lives. Body image satisfaction scores increased more so than in the control group. The dieting behaviors score on the eating attitudes and behaviors factor decreased more than the control and was maintained after a year. Self-esteem scores increased more than the control and were maintained at the follow up. Many of the programs designed to enhance self-esteem take place in school. Research has shown that the families of participants should be included in the process. The “Every Body is Somebody” program (McVey & Davis, 2002) incorporated a caregiver component in the model. Students are encouraged to discuss the weekly lessons at home. The le...

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...Beliefs were measured to examine the image adolescent girls have of themselves. Girls often experience a significant drop in self-esteem during the transition from elementary to middle school, when biological chances occur. Programs like Go Girls can be considered a preventative program so that girls do not experience this decline in self-esteem during these critical years. The ability to use sources of help was a significant finding (LeCroy, 2004). Adolescents often don’t know who to trust or where to turn for help when in crisis. They often internalize their feelings, as is evidenced by high rates of girls suffering from poor body image, eating disorders, and depression. A program can teach girls what to do and who to talk to if they need help and improve self-esteem. This study proved useful in the study of adolescent self-esteem since support plays a major role.