The Effect of Perceived Social Support on Self-Esteem and Well-Being Among the General Population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Introduction Perceived social support refers to the subjective assessment of the extent to which an individual feels supported by others. It is a crucial factor that affects a person's mental health, as well as poor self-esteem, which is a common psychiatric complaint correlated with low perceived social support. As the field expands, a better understanding of the correlation between these factors and mental health is important. Aim This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived social support, self-esteem, and well-being among the general population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and methods This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the targeted population using an online survey. The survey comprised 39 questions, including a validated Arabic version of the Perceived Social Support (PSS) scale, a validated Arabic version of the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Well-Being Scale. Results Of the 405 surveyed participants, 277 (68.4%) were female, and 217 (53.6%) were between 18 and 25 years old. A total of 254 (62.7%) had high PSS. However, 328 (81.0%) had low self-esteem, and 236 (58.3%) had poor well-being. There was a significant association between PSS and both self-esteem and well-being. Females, those with higher monthly incomes, and those with good well-being were less likely to have low to moderate PSS levels. Additionally, being married and engaging in physical activity were significant predictors of low self-esteem. Conclusion Although most of the population demonstrated high PSS, the results for self-esteem and well-being were less than desired. PSS significantly influenced psychological well-being but not self-esteem. Further evidence suggests that male participants with lower monthly incomes may need more social support than others. More research is needed to determine the influence of PSS on self-esteem and well-being among the general population in this region.