ABSTRACT

Background & Objective: Self-esteem plays an important role in promoting mental health. Several studies have shown that self-esteem affects performance, promotion patterns, interaction with others and mental health. Thus, reinforcement of positive self-assessment is very important. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between self-esteem and some demographic variables in undergraduate nursing students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, 400 students from Tehran University of Medical Sciences were recruited by stratified sampling with proportional allocation. Data were collected during the first semester in 2010. Students completed two-part questionnaire include of Coopersmith's self-esteem and demographic information. Data were collected during a semester in 2010 and were analyzed using SPSS software v.16 and descriptive and analytical statistics.

Results: Results showed that self-esteem was statistically related to total mean grade, residence place, economic status, and marital status (p<0.05). There was not a statistically significant relationship between self-esteem and gender, the semester of study, school, and students work experience.

Conclusion: There is undeniable relationship between self-esteem and ability of inter communication as an indivisible part of the effective care process. So, enhancing self-esteem, and identifying related factors in nursing students could be a valuable step in improving quality of nursing care in future, by this important segment of society.

Keywords: Self Concept, Self-esteem, Nursing Student