What Factors Affect Self-Esteem in Students?

Motivating students at the elementary, grade, and collegiate level takes a combination of factors within the home and classroom setting. There are certain elements that can affect the self-esteem in students, including the type of relationship they have with their teachers, interpersonal relationships with their peers, and the advocacy that they receive at home. Individualized attention and an engaging environment will all play a role in a student's confidence and self-esteem.

The teacher's attitude can have a direct impact on a student's self-esteem. A student can often quickly sense if a teacher is not engaged in the class, or if he or she doesn't have genuine care for the students and faculty. Condescending attitudes, an impersonal attitude, and favoritism can disrupt class order. The self-esteem in students may be lowered, which may, in turn, manifest in those students acting out in a negative fashion.

An upbeat, encouraging attitude usually comes from an instructor who genuinely enjoys what he or she is doing. Good teachers are often liked and respected by their students. Such teachers will actively encourage and motivate, fostering a setting that will improve the self-esteem in students. Individual feedback is also a hallmark of a teacher who cares about his or her students. A connection with the students may also reduce the chances of bullying among peers.

Pupils who are bullied will often withhold themselves from interactions with others, becoming uninterested in their academics and extracurricular activities; some students who are bullied may develop behavioral problems. Bullying often has a severe and dramatic impact on a student's self-esteem. To remedy a bullying problem, a teacher should work to open communication between the victim, the bully, the school faculty, and the guardians of all students involved. The key to diffusing a bullying situation is for teachers to observe the behavior of all students, intervene when bullying is occurring, and make sure that students who bully are given appropriate consequences for their actions. Parents should be involved, and positive reinforcement should be mandated in the classroom.

Self-esteem in students is not only affected by the school setting; their home situations can also affect the students' ambition. Students who come from a home that encourages their academic and personal endeavors typically make for a student body that is positive and anxious to learn. A home that does not provide structure and encouragement can cause a student to feel lost and unmotivated, and may result in the student losing interest in his or her education.