Applying the Constructs of Home Environment: Implications for Developing Self Esteem amongst Adolescents

Home is the social-biological unit that exerts the greatest influence on the development of the individual's behaviour. Researchers and theorists have increasingly recognized the role of home environment for the overall development of the children especially the adolescents. Keeping all this in mind, the present investigation was carried out to explore the relationships between home environment and self esteem. A correlational design was adopted in the present study. A sample of 200 adolescents (100 males and 100 females) of 10th and 11th standard was selected. The age range of the participants was 15-17 years. Home environment inventory and self esteem inventory were administered on the subjects individually. The data was analyzed by coefficient of correlation by Pearson's product moment method. The results indicated that out of ten dimensions of home environment only five dimensions are significantly related to self esteem. Punishment, social isolation and deprivation of privileges have been found significantly and negatively related the self esteem whereas significant and positive relationship have been found on reward and permissiveness dimensions amongst adolescents. It indicates that punishment, high social isolation and deprivation of privileges at home significantly lower the self esteem of adolescents. On the other hand, materialistic and symbolic rewards and freedom to express their views lead to high self esteem. No significant relationships were found between control, protectiveness, conformity, nurturance and rejection and self esteem amongst adolescents. From the present findings it can be inferred that modifications in the home environment can be made to make it favorable for the holistic development of adolescents.