Assessment of Self-esteem among 11-15 Years Old Orphanage Children in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Introduction: Orphanage children comprise a deprived and isolated population, deserving special attention. Researches indicate that orphaned children undergo hardships which may affect psychological and emotional balance in turn affecting their self-esteem. The aim of the study was to assess the self-esteem of 11-15 years old orphanage children and to compare the data obtained with other school going children in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: An epidemiologic survey was conducted among 11-15 years old orphanage children and obtained data was compared with other school going children in Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. A cluster random sampling methodology was used for the selection of orphanage children. Stratified random sampling methodology was used to select schoolchildren according to the age and sex to match the orphanage children. The final sample size was 221 orphanage children and 221 school going children. Data were collected using the self-esteem questionnaire developed by Rosenberg in 1965. Statistical analysis was done using Pearson Chi-square test and Student’s t-test. Results: High level of self-esteem was seen more among school going children compared to orphanage children and it was statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that orphanage children had low self-esteem score and high level of self-esteem score was more in school going children.