Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

8-2002

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Human Ecology

Major Professor

Delores E. Smith

Committee Members

Connie Steele, Lane Morris, Wes Morgan

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships among self-esteem, social competence, stress, social support (family and peer), gender, and ethnicity among urban, rural, and suburban adolescents. The participants in this study were drawn from a nationally representative sample of adolescent youth. Analyses of data revealed that there significant correlations between selfesteem, social competence, stress, and family and peer support. Significant differences within gender were found between self-esteem, social competence, peer support, and stress. Also, significant differences within ethnicity were found in self-esteem and peer support. Regression analyses revealed that both family and peer support accounted for a significant degree of the variation on selfesteem. Regression analyses also revealed significant family and peer effects. No significant distinctions between geographic locations and the psychosocial variables (self-esteem, social competence, family and peer support and stress) indicated.

Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS