Relationship between self-esteem and life satisfaction in a sample of university students

Abstract

New demands and transitional changes during university stage can be a source of stress for university students, having an important effect on their well-being (Gutiérrez et al., 2010). The purpose of this study was to analyze the predictive ability of self-esteem on life satisfaction –cognitive component of subjective well-being-. The sample consisted of 150 students (72% women, 28% men) attending to different degrees at the University of Cadiz and whose average age was 21.62 ( S D = 3.59, range = 18-48). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale R S E S - (Rosenberg, 1965; Spanish version by Salgado Iglesias, 1995) and the Life Satisfaction Scale S W L S - (Diener, Emmons, Larsen Griffin, 1985; Spanish version by Atienza, Pons, Balaguer García-Merita, 2000) were administered. Hierarchical regression analysis carried out indicated that all the variables entered explained 34.4% of the variance in life satisfaction (R2 = .34), although 32,6% was due to the influence of selfesteem, being its predictive ability positive and statistically significant (β=.61). These results were confirmed independently of the possible effect of age, sex, and students’ degree. These data provide empirical support concerning the importance of developing programs that reinforce students’ selfesteem enhancing, simultaneously, global life satisfaction levels.

Keywords

• satisfacción con la vida
• autoestima
• bienestar subjetivo
• universitarios