An exploratory descriptive study of the relationship between self-esteem and persistence among African-American

• Main Author: Weems, Antavius M.
• Format: Others
• Published: DigitalCommons@Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta University Center 1998
• Subjects: Social Work
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/dissertations/668; http://digitalcommons.auctr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2213&context=dissertations

Self esteem and persistence are the summary of ideas, feelings, and perceptions that one has of himself/herself. It is the individuals satisfaction with himself/herself. Persistence is the act or behavior of pursuing a goal or activity regardless of obstacles. It can be defined as stubbornness or resilience to a certain situation. This study examined whether there was a relationship between the two variables of self-esteem and persistence as they relate to the African-American adolescent population. An exploratory research design was used in the study. Thirty African-American adolescents ranging from ages thirteen to nineteen, divided evenly by gender, and all members of a local Baptist church participated. The participants completed self administered questionnaires to assess various levels of self-esteem and persistence levels. The results of the study indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between self-esteem and persistence of the sample population. However, though the findings were not significantly different, it was found that the female participants in the study did tend to exhibit slightly higher levels of self-esteem and persistence than did the male participants. The results of the study indicated that there was no statistically significant relationship between self-esteem and persistence of the sample population. However, though the findings were not significantly different, it was found that the female participants in the study did tend to exhibit slightly higher levels of self-esteem and persistence than did the male participants.