Self-esteem, coping strategies and depression of student teachers at Bushenyi Core Primary Teachers College, Bushenyi Municipality

Abstract

The aim of this research was to establish the relationship self-esteem, coping strategies and depression, of student teachers of Bushenyi primary teachers’ college. Data was collected from the college and the sample comprised 120 students (57 males and 63 females, aged 18-45). The study adopted a quantitative approach and correlational study design. Three instruments were used to collect data: the Coppersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), the Beck Depression inventory (BDI) and Brief COPE by Charles Carver. The study findings revealed that 95% of the respondents who were the majority had low levels of self-esteem. Furthermore, results revealed that self-esteem was not significantly related to depression (p = 0 .114 > .05). Also, the results revealed that self-esteem did not significantly relate with any of the three coping sub scales (problem focused, (p = .456 > .05), emotional focused (p =.216 > .05) and avoidant focused (p =.679 > .05). Depression was not significantly related to problem focused and emotional sub scales. However. Depression was significantly related to avoidant coping sub scale (p =.047 less than .05). Lastly, results indicated that there are no gender differences in depression. This implies that irrespective of your gender, you are vulnerable to depression. This study recommended that psychosocial support services should be made available to students in teacher training colleges with the aim of empowering them to improve their self-esteem and engage better coping strategies.