Causes, Consequences and Strategies for Reducing Low Self-Esteem Among Secondary School Students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State

Authors: Helen E. Uzoekwe, Chinagorom Mary Anigbogu, Lovina N. Nwobi, Kizito Arinze Agha, Taiwo Abiodun Ojo

Affiliation: Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Corresponding Author: [email protected]

March 31, 2026

SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19386847

Causes, Consequences and Strategies for Reducing Low Self-Esteem Among Secondary School Students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State

Research Article Social Sciences

Abstract

This study was on the causes, consequences and counselling strategies for reducing low selfesteem among secondary school students in Anambra State. The research design adopted for this study was a descriptive survey research design. The study was guided by 3 research questions. The sample size for this study was 159 counsellors drawn through accidental sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire titled Causes, Consequences and Counselling Strategies for reducing low self-esteem (CCCSFRLSE). The instrument was developed by the researchers. The instrument was validated by three experts from the faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability coefficient value of 0.80 was obtained for the instrument which was used for this study. The researchers adopted a direct delivery method that was, face to face method of administration for the data collection to ensure a hundred percent return of the copies of the instrument. Data collected was analyzed using the arithmetic mean of which its decision rule is from 2.50 above. The findings of the study were as follows: the finding indicated that the following were the causes of low self-esteem among secondary school students: inability to cope academically, harsh criticism from authority figures such as parents or teachers, having trouble keeping up at school, feeling less attractive than the ideal image portrayed in social media, sibling maltreatment and lack of motivation for success and peer pressure while the findings on the consequences were: poor academic achievement, social isolation, feelings of worthlessness, negative self-talk, school dropout and aggressiveness. Moreover, the findings on the counselling strategies for reducing low self-esteem were: helping the victims to forget the past, use of mindfulness and meditation, reciting positive affirmations on daily bases, journaling and practicing self-hygiene, involving in grounding exercises that quiet negative thoughts, and socializing with people one trusts and feels good about. Among other things the researchers suggested that Government should be funding counselling programs, conferences, workshops and seminar where the strategies for reducing low self-esteem among students would be taught both to the new counsellors, teachers and staff for a collective treatment against the behaviour in secondary schools. And also, Counsellors would be using the medium of P.T.A to be training parents on the causes and consequences of low self-esteem which would help them to guard against and report such acts to counsellors for necessary actions.

Keywords

Causes, Consequences, Strategies, low, Self-Esteem

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Helen E. Uzoekwe, Chinagorom Mary Anigbogu, Lovina N. Nwobi, Kizito Arinze Agha, Taiwo Abiodun Ojo (2026). Causes, Consequences and Strategies for Reducing Low Self-Esteem Among Secondary School Students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review, Vol. 2, No. 1. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19386847

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Causes, Consequences and Strategies for Reducing Low Self-Esteem Among Secondary School Students in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State

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SIAR-Global Journal of Social Sciences & Legal Review