An investigation of self-esteem perceived by university students undergone Rhinoplasty surgery in Sulaimani city

Background and objective: This study investigates self-esteem among university students who underwent rhinoplasty surgery to assess its impact on their perceived self-worth and explore associations with personal and demographic factors. Methods: A qualitative descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. A purposive sample of 100 undergraduate students from the old campus of the University of Sulaimani participated. Data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23, applying descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings indicated that 83% of participants had normal self-esteem, 13% reported high self-esteem, and 4% experienced low self-esteem. No significant associations were found between self-esteem and demographic factors such as gender, age, marital status, or economic status (P >0.05). However, the participants' academic year showed a statistically significant relationship with self-esteem (P = 0.034). Conclusion: Rhinoplasty may improve self-esteem for some individuals, but its influence varies across demographic profiles. These results underscore the importance of psychological assessments before and after cosmetic surgeries and highlight the need for interventions to foster positive body image beyond physical alterations.