The Effectiveness of a Program Designed to Enhance the Self-Esteem of Female Adolescents of the Rajavithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, Thailand
Suporn Apinuntavech MD*, Taveeporn Panichpong MSc**, Poonsuk Shuaytong MSc***, Jarueyporn Suparp MD***, Yowaluk Ngoenwiwatkul Dr.Ph****
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Obstetric and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand *** Department of Family Health, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand **** Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To study the effectiveness of group activities designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents
aged 12-18 years old of the Rajvithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, (experimental group) and the Saraburi Home
for Girls, Saraburi, (comparison group).
Material and Method: This was quasi-experimental research. Each group was comprised of 36 adolescents.
The experimental group participated in numerous activities designed to improve their self -esteem. The activities
were conducted over 4 sessions of 2-3 hours duration per session. The self-esteem assessments were conducted
before, immediately after the intervention, and 4 weeks henceforth, using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem
Inventory School Form (CSEI).
Results : Prior to the intervention, neither group showed any difference in its general characteristics including
its self - esteem mean scores. Immediately after the intervention and, 4 weeks later, the experimental group had
significantly higher self-esteem mean scores than they had prior to intervention (p < 0.001). However, the
comparison group showed no difference in self-esteem mean scores at both time periods of the post intervention
period (p > 0.05). It was also found that the experimental group’s self-esteem mean scores were significantly
higher than the comparison group’s, (p < 0.05) both immediately after the intervention as well as 4 weeks
henceforth. The self -esteem mean score at the 4 week post intervention stage remained higher than it was after
the intervention, even though there was slight decrease with significant difference (p < 0.001).
Conclusion : The research results indicate that the self-esteem level among adolescents could be developed,
especially amongst those adolescents in foster homes. Thus related organizations should conduct self-esteem
enhancing activities for adolescents in order to strengthen necessary life skills including spiritual health,
which are the prerequisites for success in later life.
Keywords : Self - esteem, Adolescent, Rajavithi Home for girls, Group activity
