Mirror, Mirror: A Cross-Sectional Study of Self-Esteem among Young Adults in Thiruvalla, Kerala

Abstract Background: Positive self-esteem is considered to be an important attribute of a mentally healthy person, as it is believed to impact healthy social behavior. Similarly, poor self-esteem may be associated with individual and social problems. Objective: The study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of self-esteem and perceived social support among undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 175 undergraduate students aged between 18 and 30 years in Thiruvalla from January to July 2023. The sample size was calculated as 175. The results have been presented as frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test and case-control analysis were used to analyze the association between demographic variables and the self-esteem of study participants. Results: The prevalence of low self-esteem among the study participants was found to be 21%. Conclusion: The present study reveals that the self-esteem of a person is affected by the social support felt by a person.