Low self-esteem is a problem for many youth, especially during adolescence. Rates of low self-esteem are higher in Kentucky youth than nationwide. Low self-esteem can lead to mental health issues, risky behaviors, academic problems, and early sexual activity. Programs aim to promote factors like connections with others, achievement, and autonomy to support healthy self-esteem in youth.

1. KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
TITLE V FACT SHEET
SELF ESTEEM IN
YOUTH
Self-esteem is defined as how one feels about oneself.1
It may be either high or low
depending upon a personal assessment of self. Healthy self-esteem is essential for success
in every area of life. It is one of the most dynamic variables in youth development.
Size of the Problem:
It has been observed that children experience a decline in self esteem during adolescence
years which is a critical transition period for them. Girls experience this decline at age 12
whereas in boys the decline generally begins at age 14.2
Youth with high self-esteem
consider themselves worthy, and view themselves as equal to others. Those low in self-
esteem generally experience self-rejection, self-dissatisfaction, self-contempt, and self-
disparagement. Direct estimates of the level of self-esteem in Kentucky youth are not
available but there are some indirect indicators that can help us understand this problem in
our young population.
Seriousness/Impact:
Low self-esteem can be a major risk-factor in mental and emotional health problems such
as suicide, alcohol and drug abuse, and violence.3
Figure 1 shows frequency of some risk
behaviors in Kentucky youth which are significantly greater than youth nationwide.
Research shows that body weight affects children's self esteem.4
In addition, it was found
that self esteem was an early indicator of mental health.
Data obtained from the National Survey of Children’s Health5
(2007) shows that 10.4% of 6-
17 year old children in Kentucky consistently exhibited problematic social behaviors as
compared to 8.8% nationwide. The problematic social behaviors include arguing too much,
being disobedient, bullying or being cruel to others and being stubborn or irritable. Table 1
shows the prevalence of these behaviors in Kentucky youth in comparison to youth in the
United States. These behaviors may be used as proxy indicators of negative self-esteem
since they portray disturbed emotional and mental health. It was also found from the NSCH
survey that 16.1% children 6-17 years of age repeated one or more grades in Kentucky as
compared to only 10.6% throughout the nation.
KentuckyUnbridledSpirit.com An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D

2. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
The maternal and child health stakeholders in Kentucky commented in the community
forums that teen pregnancy is an issue due to lack of self esteem in girls.6
Research shows
that adolescents who have lower self-esteem report initiating sex earlier and having had
risky partners.7
Clinical Impact: A negative self-esteem in adolescence has been associated with
depression in both boys and girls and eating disorders in girls.3
It is seen that female
adolescents tend to worry more about physical appearance than do males.8
Boys versus
girls are more likely to report high self-esteem.9
Disparities: African American adolescents tend to have more positive self-concepts than do
their white counterparts.3
Capacity/Resources:
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and the Kentucky Department of
Education have programs that support for positive youth development. In addition, several
programs offer support and education for parents that assist them in understanding and
communicating with youth. Kentucky schools use research based curricula such as Know
Your Body that helps in building self-esteem. This curriculum is used primarily for
inculcating drug prevention behavior in youth.
Interventions:
Interventions that promote connections between adolescents and their teachers and peers
during the transition years from junior to senior high school have been found to be effective,
for example the School Transition Environment Project.11
Zaff et.al.12
(2002) have described
some promising findings from research studies that take into account factors related to
mental and emotional health but these have not been tested with experimental designs.
They include:
- Promote positive self-esteem by promoting positive self-concepts in academic and social
realms.
- Promote achievement in specific areas of youth’s life (e.g., academic, athletics).
- Promote parenting strategies that involve supporting youth’s autonomy.
- Promote parenting strategies that include being supportive and having open
communication with youth.
- Promote teaching practices that include support for youth autonomy.
- Implement school policies that promote autonomy.
Recommendations:
The Search Institute14
has provided some recommendations for improving positive identity
and those include:1) integrate community service, leadership and engagement into all types
of programs and settings, 2) adopt best practices in engaging youth which means involving
2

3. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
them in all phases of program planning and implementation and 3) make youth engagement
and leadership a routine process not a sporadic effort.
Adults may foster self-esteem in adolescents by providing positive communication through
supportive and caring relationships.8
Tables and Figures
Fig 1. Risk Behaviors for which KY Students are at a Significantly
Greater Risk than US Students
2007
24.4
62.2
26
6
27
80
15.6
86.8
40.5
18
50.3
20
4.4
22.3
69.7
13
78.6
33.8
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Percent
KY US
Source: Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2007
Table 1. Comparison of the Prevalence of Specific Problematic Behaviors in Children Ages 6-17 years between
Kentucky and the United States
Behavio
r
Kentucky United States
Nev
er
Rarely Sometime
s
Usually
/
Always
Neve
r
Rarel
y
Sometime
s
Usually/
Always
Argues
too much
13.8 21.2 42.1 22.9 15.9 22.3 40.6 21.3
Disobedi
ent
34.9 32.3 28.6 4.1 30.6 32.9 31.7 4.8
Bullies
others
69.0 18.2 9.6 3.1 64.5 20.2 12.9 2.3
3

4. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
Stubborn 13.0 25.8 50.4 10.8 18.5 26.0 45.7 9.8
Source: Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. 2007 National Survey of
Children's Health, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health website.
Retrieved [08/27/09] from www.nschdata.org
References
1. Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet. Building Self-Esteem with Youth.
Retrieved on August 24, 2009 from http://ohioline.osu.edu/4h-fact/008.html
2. Baldwin, SA, & Hoffmann, JP. The dynamics of self-esteem: A growth-curve
analysis. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. 2002.31: 101-113.
3. Facts for Families (8/98) developed by the American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry. Retrieved August 24, 2009, from http://www.aacap.org/cs/
root/facts_for_families/facts_for_families
4. University Of Florida (2007, May 22). Positive Self-esteem In Youth Can Pay Big
Salary Dividends Later In Life. ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 26, 2009, from
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070521152452.htm
5. Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. 2007 National Survey of
Children's Health, Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health
website. Retrieved [08/27/09] from www.nschdata.org
6. Results from Title V Needs Assessment-Maternal and Child Health Community
Forums done by Division of Maternal and Child Health, Department for Public
Health. 2009.
7. Eithier KA, Kershaw TS,Lewis, JB, Milan S, Niccolai LM and Ickovics, JR. Self-
esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females:
inter-relationships and temporal effects. J Adolesc Health. 2006. 38(3):268-74
8. Hadley, MA, Elizabeth, MS, and Moore, KA. Assessing What Kids Think About
Themselves: A Guide To Adolescent Self-Concept For Out-Of-School Time
Program Practitioners. Research-to Results Brief. 2008. Retrieved on August 24,
2009 from http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/
9. Birndorf, S, Ryan, S Auinger, P and Aten, M. High self-esteem among
adolescents: longitudinal trends, sex differences, and protective factors. J
Adolesc Health. 2005. 37(3):194-201.
10.http://www.kychildnow.org/
11.Felner, R. D., & Adan, A. M. (1988). The school transition environment project:
An ecological intervention and evaluation. In R. H. Price, E. L. Cowen, R. P.
Lorion, J. Ramos-McKay, & B. Hitchins (Eds.), Fourteen ounces of prevention: A
casebook of exemplary primary prevention programs. Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
4

5. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
12.Zaff, JF, Calkins, J, Bridges, LJ, and Margie, NG. Promoting Positive Mental and
Emotional Health in Teens: Some Lessons from Research. Research Brief. 2002.
Retrieved on August 25 2009 from http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/
13.Piers, EVand Herzberg, DS. Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale, Second
Edition. 2002. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
14.Benson, PL, Scales, PC, Hamilton, SF, & Sesma, A, Jr. (with Hong, KL, &
Roehlkepartain, EC). Positive youth development so far: Core hypotheses and
their implications for policy and practice. Search Institute Insights & Evidence.
2006. 3(1):1–13.
Anger Management: A Grandiosity Mind Trapped in Anger
How to Start a Day Care Center?
The Quality of Life: health related quality of life questionnaire
Prompts to help Kids Phrase Their Grateful Thoughts
Life at Sea: Yachting
Modern US History
Parenting Through Divorce
Paralegal: Extensive guide
Autism - The Complete Guide for Parents
Abundance and Prosperity Reiki
Espresso: The Quality of Espresso Cups
Italy Vacations: A Travel Guide
Jamaica Vacations: A Travel Guide
Traveling Nurse: How do Travel Nurses Find New Work Assignments
A Firefighters Character
Anime and Sci-Fi Collecting
Wellness And Fitness
5

6. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
A Good Mailing List for a Bad One
Cat Behavior Training
Budget Travel
Eliminate Stress Anxiety
Natural Remedies: Tips for Using Natural Remedies
Catch A Cheating Lover
Eat Healthier: Tips for healthy eating
Cosmetic Surgery: Signs You May Need a Cosmetic Surgery Facelift
Dream Interpretation: This book explains in detail the interpretation of dreams
Sex Life after 60: ( Common Issues to Consider if you want to have a Great Sex Life
after 60 )
Swimming Pool Guide
Hawaii Vacation: A Travel Guide
Public Speaking: Secrets for Success
How to Make Money with Outsourced Articles and Article Marketing ?
India Travel
Credit Card Debt: Everything You Need to Know to Avoid the Mistakes
Building Self Esteem
Self Insight and Professional Growth
Facebook Marketing
E-Bay
American Idol Contestants
Wood Working Guilds
6

7. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
The Weight Loss Solution :: 53 Lessons for loss Your Weight Forever
Dog Training: : Complete Guide to Training Your Dog or Puppy
Nursing Careers: Do You Have What It Takes
Bitcoin : The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
Public Contract Law: The Law Student's Guide to Pursuing a Career in Public
Contract Law
relating to certain aspects of the laws on the use of languages in Belgium
Contracts
Law of attraction: (A Simple Guide to attract Wealth, Health,power,and Happiness)
Yoga :: An Easy Yoga for Beginners Guide (Lose Weight, And Heal Your Body)
Green Tea: Why You Must Drink It?
Criminal Law: International Criminal Police Organization
WHAT DO YOU WANT? how to design a plan for your life: how to design a plan for
your life
‫المتوازي‬ ‫العالم‬ ‫وممالك‬ ‫جراهام‬ ‫ويليام‬
Journal Books
Storyboard
Sketch Book
Acts Of Kindness Tracker
Bill Reminder
Asymmetric Graph Paper
Scuba Diving
Prayer List
School Timetable
Personal Expense Tracker
Music Sheet
Notes
Outfit Planner
Easy Password Tracker
Music Album Review
7

8. SELF ESTEEM IN YOUTH
Gratitude Journal
Monthly Planner
Mileage Log
Lesson Planner
House Sitting Guide Pet Information
Inventory List
Guest List Wedding Planner
Habit Tracker
Half Graph 4 Half College
Graph Paper 1 cm
Fishing Log
Food Journal
Day Planner
Expenses
Dot Graph
Garden Planting
College Ruled Notebook
blood pressure log
Projects To Complete
Tax Checklist
8