Hendricks C S, Tavakoli A, Hendricks D L, Harter N R, Campbell K P, L'Ecuyer R I, Geddings A A, Hackett D, Byrd L, Mathis D
Southern University and A & M College, School of Nursing, P.O. Box 11784, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, USA. constancehendricks@suson,subr.edu
J Natl Black Nurses Assoc. 2001 Dec;12(2):15-22.
Self-esteem does matter! It matters so much that Oprah dedicated an entire issue of "O" magazine to address the subject. "It's a woman's most treasured possession" (Winfrey, 2000a). Self-esteem has a profound influence on adolescent health promotion behaviors. This study contributes to understanding the role self-esteem plays in the behavior of adolescents. Utilizing a secondary data analysis, race and gender self-esteem differences among adolescents were investigated. The sample of 1,237 students (46% African-American and 52% White) from rural southern areas consisted of 744 females and 493 males. Self-esteem was assessed using the Miller Self-esteem Questionnaire (SEQ). The Hendricks Perceptual Health Promoting Determinants Model (HPHD) provided the theoretical framework for the study. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant difference in various aspects of self-esteem according to race and gender. African-Americans and males had a higher self-esteem which is consistent with many prior studies.
