SELF ESTEEM OF GIRLS IN AN ORPHANAGE HOME: A COMMUNITY BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:Mental health of orphan children is important since they are exposed to additional stressors due to lack of proper care, separation from family, death of parents etc. All these make them more vulnerable to psychological disorders like low esteem. Aim of this study was to assess the self-esteem of girls staying in an orphanage home and to find out the relation of self-esteem and age.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in an orphanage of Aurangabad city after taking permission from concerned authorities. Cross sectional Study design was used. 240 orphan girls of age group 9 to 15 were selected and interviewed. For assessing self-esteem Rosenbergs self-esteem scale was used. Questions on socio demographic data were also included. Data were analysed using both descriptive (percentage, mean) and inferential statistical methods.

Results: Among total 240 girls, 54 was found to have low self-esteem. Mean self-esteem score was observed to be 19. Mean age of children was 12.75. One way ANOVA test was used to analyse relationship between age and Self-esteem score and it was found to be significant (p value 0.025) and relationship between years spent in institution and self-esteem score was found to be significant (p value 0.002).

Conclusion: The study revealed that 75% children were found to have good self-esteem. Statistical test revealed that there is significant relation with years spent in institution, age and self-esteem.