Factors influencing self-esteem in Tunisian adolescents with prosocial behavior

Background and aim: Previous research has shown some varying results of the link between prosocial behavior and self-esteem among adolescents. However, there is a dearth of studies considering the external factors' impact on self-esteem among those adolescents. Thus, this study aimed to assess self-esteem among a group of adolescents with prosocial behavior in the city of Sfax and to investigate whether their self-esteem would be influenced by individual and familial factors. Methods: We led a transversal study, including 90 adolescents aged 14-20 years and members of voluntary association in Sfax (Tunisia). Self-esteem was measured by Coopersmith self-esteem inventory (SEI). Results: The mean age was 16.59 years with a sex ratio of 0.87 (53.3% female). All the participants were schooled and 30% of them attended high schools. 71.1% were from high-income families and 78.9% of them lived in two-parent families. A rate of 58.9% of adolescents had a high total self-esteem score mainly in the familial and in the social subscales. High total self-esteem was significantly associated with a high parental educational level (p=0.001), a harmonious relationship with parents (p=0.020) and participation in decision-making processes within the family (p=0.009). The academic average was significantly higher in adolescents with high total self-esteem (p=0.001). Conclusion: This study highlighted the role of structural factors such as family's income and interpersonal relationships and emphasized the crucial role of academic success as predictable indicators of high self-esteem.