Effects on Self Esteem

Effects on Self-Esteem and Academic Performance on Adolescent Decision-Making: An Examination of Early Sexual Intercourse and Illegal Substance Use"
Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 6: P.582-590 (12..10):: Stephanie B. Wheeler, MPH, PhD

The current study sought "to determine whether higher self-esteem and higher academic performance among youths reduced the likelihood of early sexual intercourse and illegal substance use."


Multivariate logistic regression, stratified by gender and controlling for known covariates, was used to assess data from waves one through three of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Relationships were examined between self-esteem and academic performance and youth decision-making, in particular self-reported initiation of sexual intercourse and use of illegal substances. "Self-esteem was constructed as an ascending scale of 10 Likert-scaled survey items. Academic performance was assessed using the most recent grades from English, Math, Science, and History," wrote Wheeler.

Among virginal adolescents, higher self-esteem at baseline had no effect on sexual debut in the following year, though a baseline higher self-esteem among females did correspond with a significantly lower likelihood of illegal substance use one year later (odds ratio, .96; p=.003). In terms of academic performance at baseline, girls averaging "A" grades were significantly less likely to initiate sexual intercourse one year later as compared with girls receiving grades "C" or lower (OR, ..52; p=.004). In addition, for girls , being an "A" or "B" student was associated with lower odds of illegal substance use, compared with students who averaged "C" grades or lower (p less than .01). Self-esteem and academic performance were not significantly predictive of illegal substance use among young males.

"This study suggests that bolstering self-esteem and improving academic performance among young girls may have specifice benefits in sexual decision-making and substance-related risk-taking," Wheeler concluded