Relationship between self-esteem and indulgence in behavior problems among secondary school students in Kenya

Abstract/Overview

The study investigated the relationship between students’ self-esteem and indulgence in behavior problems in Kenya. The Theory of Planned Behaviour by Ajzen, and Person Centered Theory by Carl Rogers were employed to guide the study. A concurrent triangulation design was adopted. The SelfEsteem Scale and indulgence in behavioral problems questionnaire were used to collect data for the study. Interview schedule were used to collect data from the students. A sample size of 378 was students drawn from girls, mixed and boys’ schools where boys to be used in the study will be 60% which is (270), and girls 40 % (155). Quantitative data was analyzed by using inferential statistics such as Pearson product moment correlation coefficient while qualitative data was analyzed by using the thematic framework. The findings indicated a plausible negative (r = -.564) correlation between students’ self-esteem and his/her indulgence in behaviour problems. Thus students with high level of self-esteem were associated with low level of indulgence in behaviour problems. The study recommended that, the parents also should identify the best parenting practices that promote students’ self-esteem so that at school level they will be fully adjusted to following learning instructions other than involving in behaviour problems.