Perceptions of self-esteem in a welfare-to-wellness-to-work program
Carolyn Thompson Martin1, Judith L Keswick, Diane Crayton
1Department of Nursing, California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, California 95382, USA. cmartin2@csustan.edu
Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass.)
|January 4, 2012
Summary
Welfare recipients in a Work Wellness program reported improved self-esteem and reduced negative thoughts. This holistic approach aids in transitioning from public assistance.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Welfare-to-work programs aim to improve recipients' economic stability.
- Holistic wellness programs integrate physical, mental, and social well-being.
- Self-esteem is a crucial factor in personal development and successful transitions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore welfare recipients' perceptions of self-esteem.
- To examine the relationship between program participation and self-esteem.
- To understand the impact of a welfare-to-wellness-to-work program on participants' self-perception.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, mixed-methods design.
- Convenience sample of 33 participants in the Work Wellness: The Basics program.
- Data collection via demographic survey, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem scale, and qualitative interviews.
Main Results:
- Participants reported decreased negative thoughts and enhanced self-esteem due to the program.
- Despite having normal baseline self-esteem scores, participants perceived program benefits.
- Identified themes included the program's impact, self-esteem, mental health, and domestic violence.
Conclusions:
- Holistic wellness programs can positively influence self-esteem in welfare recipients.
- Findings support the use of such programs in health promotion and policy development.
- Innovative programs can facilitate successful transitions from public assistance.
More Related Videos
07:40Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
10:45A Community-based Stress Management Program: Using Wearable Devices to Assess Whole Body Physiological Responses in Non-laboratory Settings
Published on: January 22, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:24Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Self-esteem is intricately tied to our perception of competence and our ability to exert control over our lives. One of the primary sources of this perception is performance feedback — the ongoing evaluation of our actions in terms of success and failure. According to Franks and Marolla (1976), people derive self-worth from experiencing themselves as causal agents, capable of achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. This process nurtures a critical component of self-esteem: self-efficacy,...
01:25Benefits of Self-Esteem
Self-esteem—an individual's overall evaluation of their worth—plays a complex role in psychological functioning and well-being. It is often associated with many positive traits, such as confidence, optimism, and perseverance. Individuals with high self-esteem typically experience better sleep, manage peer pressure more effectively, and report greater life satisfaction. Conversely, low self-esteem has been consistently linked with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and poor academic or...
01:27Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
01:28Self-Esteem
Self-esteem, a core aspect of psychological well-being, reflects an individual's positive and negative self-evaluation in terms of worth, competence, and overall value. It is both a stable trait and a dynamic process, influenced by experiences and social interactions across the lifespan. While global self-esteem offers a general assessment, research highlights that self-esteem is multidimensional and varies across specific life domains.Domain-Specific Self-EsteemResearchers have delineated...
01:27Need for Self-Esteem
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...