SELF ESTEEM

Young people aged 12 to 17 years were asked a series of questions which were used to develop an index of self-esteem.

High self-esteem is an important protective factor and low self-esteem is a risk factor for emotional or behavioural difficulties as well as for health risk behaviours such as smoking.

Low self-esteem was significantly more common in females, of whom 32% had low self-esteem, in contrast to 21% of males.

The proportion of females with low self-esteem increased with age from 20% at age 12 years to 40% at age 17 years. The proportion of males with low self-esteem remained much the same over the same ages.

Physical exercise was associated with high self-esteem. Some 35% of those who had not done any strenuous exercise in the week prior to the survey had low self-esteem compared with 23% who had. Similarly, only 22% of young people who took part in organised sport in the year prior to the survey had low self-esteem in contrast to 35% who did not take part.

A higher proportion of young people who have smoked cigarettes regularly had low self-esteem. Some 32% of young people who smoked cigarettes had low self-esteem compared with 24% who did not smoke.

PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM, BY AGE AND SEX