Philippine E-Journals

Freshmen Students Self-Esteem and Social Adjustment to College in Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba

Cyrus Jeremy A. Almario | Darlene Q. Nicandro | Judith S. Villarica

 

Abstract:

This study determined if there was a significant relationship between self-esteem and social adjustment to college among freshmen students from Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba. The study utilized a mixed method design applying both quantitative and qualitative research. A special test entitled Self-Esteem Scale and Social Adjustment to College Test was constructed and developed by the researchers to be administered to a total of 80 respondents. The self-esteem level of the freshmen students was high (104.16 mean) while their social adjustment level was in a well-adjusted state (101.58 mean). Individuals with high self- esteem feel satisfactory in terms that they feel good in talking and presenting themselves in front of other people most of the time. Being in a well-adjusted state signifies that they are open to criticisms and challenges that they might face in order to be a better person than they are now. Using Pearson R, the researchers found a significant relationship between self-esteem and social adjustment to college. There was a positive correlation between self-esteem and social adjustment among the respondents. It means that when a person’s self-esteem is high, there is a tendency for his/her adjustment to improve. For the qualitative part, the two major themes drawn from the semi-structured interview were self-esteem and social adjustment. There were 15 sub-themes for self-esteem and 6 sub- themes for social adjustment. The researchers developed an evidence-based Structured Learning Experience (SLE) Module entitled “Step Out of Your Box” which focused on those who had low levels of self- esteem and were in a maladjusted state as a basis for group dynamic activities that will be presented in the module. The module aimed to help the respondents in their recovery from having a low level of self-esteem and being in a maladjusted state. Since the study was only applicable to the selected freshmen college students and could not be generalized to the whole population of freshmen college students, replication of this study was recommended in other schools or to have a larger sample population to determine its applicability and consistency.