Analysis of Self-Esteem and Self-Concept of Out-of-School Youth (OSY) from Manila

Abstract

Filipinos place a huge value on education, as it is believed to be the hope for the future, for progress and for development. It is undeniable that education is indispensable in the bringing change or transformation in the lives of individuals. It is known to be a major contributing factor of growing and developing which leads the individual to full maturity or self-actualization. A vital component of self-actualization is a positive selfconcept and high self-esteem. The objective of the study is to assess the self-esteem and self-concept of the out-of-school youth males and females aged 18 to 24 years old from Manila, specifically the Sampaloc area. It was hypothesized that self-concept and selfesteem of out-of-school youth is positively correlated. The population for the study consisted of 124 members of different barangays in the Sampaloc area, 71 males and 53 females. To measure the self-esteem, an adaptation in the Filipino language of Texas Social Behavior Inventory (TSBI) Form A (16 items). Similarly to assess self-concept, Filipino adaptation of Personal Self-Concept (PSC) was Questionnaire was used. Of the 124 survey respondents, only 8% were reported to have high self-esteem and 42.2% were classified to have low self-esteem. The results revealed a weak, positive correlation between self-concept and self-esteem. The findings of this research may provide local government units, government institutions and private organizations who caters to OSYs an insight on how to tailor their programs for the OSYs which includes not only getting them back in school and employment, but also proper counselling for personal growth.