Self-worth on campus: understanding the association between mental health well-being and self-esteem

Purpose University students in low- and middle-income countries are increasingly facing psychosocial pressures that can be negatively associated with their mental health and self-perception. Evidence from Bangladesh is limited regarding the relationship between mental well-being and multidimensional self-esteem. This study aims to investigate the association between mental health well-being and two dimensions of self-esteem among university students in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 506 students from six universities of Bangladesh. Self-esteem and mental health well-being were assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the associations between happiness and the dimensions of self-esteem while controlling for socio-demographic and institutional characteristics. Additionally, quantile regression for count outcomes was used to examine varying effects across different levels of self-esteem. Findings Higher levels of happiness were significantly associated with increased self-competence [incidence rate ratios (IRR) = 1.11, p < 0.001] and self-liking (IRR = 1.09, p < 0.001). Students at private universities exhibited higher self-esteem compared to their peers at public universities, while female students reported lower levels of self-esteem. Quantile regression analyses indicated that the positive association between happiness was particularly strong among students at the lower end of the self-esteem distribution. These findings underscore the critical role of well-being in shaping both cognitive and affective dimensions of self-esteem, particularly among more vulnerable student groups. Originality/value This study enriches the understanding of student mental health in Bangladesh by integrating a multidimensional assessment of self-esteem with distribution-sensitive modeling. The findings underscore the vital role of psychological well-being in bolstering self-worth and highlight the necessity for targeted counseling services, mentorship and gender-responsive institutional policies to develop resilience among university students.