The Relationship between Personal Characteristics, Self-Esteem and Depression among Seventh Grade Students of Junior High Schools, Tanjungpinang District, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Depression is a mental disorder that can happen in everyone. It also appears in the seventh grade students who are approximately 12-13 years old, because they are facing major changes including physical development, emotional development and social-cultural changes. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between personal characteristics, self-esteem and depression among seventh grade students in junior high schools.

Methods: A descriptive correlation design was employed involving 335 participants by cluster random sampling at Tanjungpinang, Riau, Indonesia. Rosemberg Self-Esteem Scale and Beck Inventory Depression-II were use as the instruments. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, chi-square and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient.

Results: The study showed that there were statistically significant relationship between personal characteristics (family history of depression, marital status of parent, school performance), self-esteem and depression respectively (x² = .120, p < .003; x² = 8.306 p < .004; x² = 12.09., p < .002 r=-.268, p<.000).

Conclusion: These findings indicated that family history of depression, marital status of parent and school performance could be considered in depression prevention. Further intervention to promote self-esteem is recommended to prevent depression in junior high schools.