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Self-Esteem: A Comparative Study of Adolescents from Mainstream and Minority Religious Groups in Pakistan

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the level of self-esteem among religious minority adolescents (Christians and Hindus) by making a comparison with their dominant counterparts (Muslims) in Pakistan. It was hypothesized that adolescents of religious minorities would have lower level of self-esteem than their dominant counterparts. In the present study 320 adolescents participated, in which 160 adolescents belonged to minority religious groups (i.e. 76 Christians and 84 Hindus) and 160 adolescents belonged to dominant religious group i.e. Muslims. To assess self-esteem of the participants, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg in Society and the adolescent self image, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1965) was used. One Way Analysis of Variance reveals that religious minority adolescents (Christians and Hindus) inclined to have lower self-esteem as compared to their dominant counterpart (Muslim adolescents).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Abdul Haq Campus, Federal Urdu University for Arts, Science and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

    Shahid Iqbal

  2. Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan

    Riaz Ahmad

  3. Department of Business Psychology, Institute of Business Management, Karachi, Pakistan

    Nadia Ayub

Authors
  1. Shahid Iqbal
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  2. Riaz Ahmad
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  3. Nadia Ayub
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shahid Iqbal.

Appendix: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965)

Appendix: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965)

Instructions: Below is a list of statements dealing with your general feelings about yourself.

If you strongly agree, circle

If you agree with the statement, circle

If you disagree, circle

If you strongly disagree, circle

 

  

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

1.

On the whole, I am satisfied with myself

SA

A

D

SD

2.

At times, I think I am no good at all

SA

A

D

SD

3.

I feel that I have a number of good qualities

SA

A

D

SD

4.

I am able to do things as well as most other people

SA

A

D

SD

5.

I feel I do not have much to be proud of

SA

A

D

SD

6.

I certainly feel useless at times

SA

A

D

SD

7.

I feel that I’m a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others

SA

A

D

SD

8.

I wish I could have more respect for myself

SA

A

D

SD

9.

All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure

SA

A

D

SD

10.

I take a positive attitude toward myself

SA

A

D

SD

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Iqbal, S., Ahmad, R. & Ayub, N. Self-Esteem: A Comparative Study of Adolescents from Mainstream and Minority Religious Groups in Pakistan. J Immigrant Minority Health 15, 49–56 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9656-9

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