Esteem building versus punishment : the effectiveness of self-esteem group counselling on the behavior of junior high school students

Furlong-Mallard, Judith (1994) Esteem building versus punishment : the effectiveness of self-esteem group counselling on the behavior of junior high school students. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of an eight week group counselling self-esteem program in changing the behavior of junior high school students frequently disciplined with detention. Changes in behavior were measures using self-reports from students and behavioral observations of teachers from the Brown and Hammill Student and Teacher Behavior Rating Scales (BRP-2), the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (School Form), and the Coopersmith Behavioral Academic Self-Esteem Teacher rating scales. Three groups were measured for changes in behavior: (1) a group of ten students identified for showing recidivism in detention; (2) a group of ten students identified by teachers as having the potential to benefit from self-esteem intervention; and (3) a control group of ten randomly selected students. Data were analyzed using both the paired and independent t-test statistic. Results showed a significant decrease in the incidence of detention following group counselling. Although the improvements in self-esteem did not reach levels of statistical significance, significant changes in student behavior were reported by the students and their teachers. The results were discussed in relation to their implications for school discipline practises and the applications of self-esteem intervention programs in schools.

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