Self-esteem, peer relations and depression among school going adolescents In Rubaga Division, Kampala District

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship betweenself-esteem, peer relations and depression amon school going adolescents in Rubaga Division, Kampala District. A correlation research design was used to conduct the study, it involved two schools in Kampala district participants were selected using stratified random sampling, in the two schools. The total sample of this study consisted of 200 senior two, three and five students. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between the variables. The study found that (r = - 0.061, p>0.05) self-esteem was found to be negative and not significantly related to peer realtions, self-esteem was found not to be significantly related to depression (r = 0.032, p>0.05), peer relations were found to be positive and significantly related to depression(r = 0.287, p>0.000), peer relations do not moderate the relationship between self esteem and depression. Peer relations are an important predictor of depression. Good peer relations help adolescents cope with depression more effectively. Self-esteem is not an important influencer of depression among school going adolescents in Rubaga Division. It was recommended that school going adolescents need to be given adequate information of regarding mental health , self awareness , heathy relationships and self esteem as well as the dangers of depression. This will help the adolescents to fight depression.