Introduction:

Student well-being is a term that encompasses the overall development and quality of life of students. It includes aspects such as physical and mental health, happiness and satisfaction, social connectedness, and future aspirations. Student well-being is important for many reasons, such as improving the academic performance, motivation, and resilience of students, as well as enhancing their personal growth, creativity, and citizenship. Self-efficacy and self-esteem are two important psychological factors that affect how students feel, think, and respond to various situations.
Self-efficacy refers to “the belief in one’s capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations.” (1), while, Self-esteem is “the degree to which the qualities and characteristics contained in one’s self-concept are perceived to be positive.” (2). The range of both self-efficacy and self-esteem can have varying degrees of positivity on students’ well-being, depending on how they are developed and maintained.
Self-efficacy and self-esteem are positively correlated with academic achievement. Students who have high self-efficacy and self-esteem tend to have higher levels of academic performance, engagement, motivation, and persistence. They also tend to have lower levels of academic procrastination, boredom, and burnout. (3) (4). However, one cannot ignore the well-being of students. Many factors can influence the well-being of students, such as the school environment, family background, peer relationships, socioeconomic status, and cultural norms. Among these factors, two psychological constructs that have received much attention from researchers and educators are self-efficacy and self-esteem. (5)
Self-efficacy and self-esteem are influenced by various factors, such as the school climate, teacher support, peer support, parental support, feedback, goal setting, mastery experience, role models, and cultural values. These factors can either enhance or undermine the self-efficacy and self-esteem of students depending on how they are perceived and experienced by students. (6)

Benefits of high self-esteem and self-efficacy among students:

  1. Enjoy learning and pursue their interests
  2. Set realistic and challenging goals for themselves
  3. Seek feedback and learn from their mistakes
  4. Persist in the face of difficulties and overcome obstacles
  5. Feel confident and competent in their abilities
  6. Appreciate their strengths and accept their weaknesses
  7. Respect themselves and others
  8. Express their emotions in healthy ways
  9. Seek help when needed
  10. Have positive relationships with peers, teachers, family members
  11. Participate in social activities
  12. Have a sense of purpose and direction in life (7)

Global and Indian perspectives:

  1. Positive Correlation with Well-Being: Students who possess high levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem tend to experience higher levels of happiness, satisfaction, optimism, hope, and a sense of meaning in life. (8) (9)
  2. Lower Levels of Negative Emotions: Students with elevated self-efficacy and self-esteem also exhibit lower levels of negative emotions, including stress, anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm or suicide. These positive psychological traits act as protective factors against mental health challenges. (8).
  3. Various Intervention Approaches: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness training, positive psychology exercises, social skill training, mentoring programs, and participation in extracurricular activities. These strategies help students foster more positive self-beliefs and develop adaptive coping mechanisms for dealing with life’s challenges. (5)
  4. Global Relevance: A global meta-analysis conducted in 2023 across 15 different countries reaffirmed the importance of self-esteem in mental well-being among students. The study found that students with healthy self-esteem were less likely to exhibit symptoms of depression. This underscores the universal significance of self-esteem in promoting mental health and well-being among students. (10) 
  5. Quality of Life and Future Preparedness:The positive impact of self-efficacy and self-esteem not only enhances the current quality of life for students but also equips them with essential psychological resources to navigate future challenges in their personal and professional lives. These traits are crucial for building resilience and achieving success in various life domains. (10) 
  6. Level of Perceived Self-Efficacy: The majority of adolescents (47.8%) had a fair level of perceived self-efficacy. This suggests that a substantial portion of the adolescent population perceives themselves as moderately competent and capable of handling various tasks and challenges. (11)
  7. Level of Psychological Well-Being: In terms of psychological well-being a significant proportion of adolescents (68.1%) reported having a fair level of psychological well-being. This indicates that a considerable portion of the adolescent sample experienced a moderate sense of emotional and psychological wellness. (11)

How to improve self-efficacy and self-esteem:

  1. Encouragement and support of parents, teachers, and peers that provide clear expectations and constructive feedback
  2. Setting achievable goals allows students to experience success and build self-efficacy
  3. Encourages effort and rewards progress
  4. Recognizes achievements and celebrates successes
  5. Promotes collaboration and cooperation
  6. Respects diversity and individuality
  7. Provides opportunities for choice and autonomy
  8. Offers guidance and mentoring from mental health professionals can be transformative
  9. Provides resources and support (12)(13)
  10. By doing so, educators can help students achieve their full potential academically as well as enhance their well-being holistically.

Conclusion:

The effects of self-efficacy and self-esteem on students’ well-being are profound and far-reaching, both in India and globally. High self-efficacy propels student to achieve their dreams, while healthy self-esteem acts as a shield against the storms of any negative events in their life including academic and personal life. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or a student yourself, remember that believing in your abilities and recognizing your self-worth can be the keys to unlocking your true potential and leading a fulfilling life, no matter where you are in the world.

References:

  1. MSEd KC. Self efficacy and why believing in yourself matters. Verywell Mind [Internet]. 2023 Feb 27; Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-efficacy-2795954#citation-2
  2. Vanbuskirk S. Why It’s Important to Have High Self-Esteem. Verywell Mind [Internet]. 2023 Feb 21; Available from: https://www.verywellmind.com/why-it-s-important-to-have-high-self-esteem-5094127
  3. Hernández-Torrano D, Ibrayeva L, Sparks J, Lim N, Clementi A, Almukhambetova A, et al. Mental Health and Well-Being of University Students: A Bibliometric Mapping of the Literature. Frontiers in Psychology [Internet]. 2020 Jun 9;11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01226
  4. Luo Y, Gao W, Liu X. Longitudinal Relationship between Self-Esteem and Academic Self-Efficacy among college students in China: Evidence from a Cross-Lagged Model. Frontiers in Psychology [Internet]. 2022 May 23;13. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.877343
  5. Chandna S, Sharma PK, Vasudevan M. The Mindful Self: Exploring Mindfulness in Relation with Self-esteem and Self-efficacy in Indian Population. Psychological Studies [Internet]. 2022 Feb 2;67(2):261–72. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-021-00636-5
  6. Sun G, Lyu B. Relationship between emotional intelligence and self-efficacy among college students: the mediating role of coping styles. Discover Psychology [Internet]. 2022 Nov 14;2(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-022-00055-1
  7. Gairola V. On Students’ well-being in the Indian context: a review. Iith [Internet]. 2022 Sep 2; Available from: https://www.academia.edu/62739179/On_Students_Well_being_in_the_Indian_Context_A_Review
  8. Bhatt S, Bahadur A. Importance of self esteem & self efficacy for college students. ResearchGate [Internet]. 2020 Nov 27; Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346421443_Importance_of_self_esteem_self_efficacy_for_college_students
  9. Plakhotnik MS, Volkova NV, Jiang C, Yahiaoui D, Pheiffer G, McKay KA, et al. The perceived impact of COVID-19 on Student Well-Being and the mediating role of the university support: evidence from France, Germany, Russia, and the UK. Frontiers in Psychology [Internet]. 2021 Jul 12;12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.642689
  10. Daniali H, Martinussen M, Flaten MA. A global meta-analysis of depression, anxiety, and stress before and during COVID-19. Health Psychology [Internet]. 2023 Feb 1;42(2):124–38. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001259
  11. Kamil AA, Al-Hadrawi H. Perceived self-efficacy and the psychological well-being of adolescents. International Journal of Health Sciences (IJHS) [Internet]. 2022 Jun 12;9447–56. Available from: https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6ns3.8843
  12. Holzer J, Korlat S, Buerger S, Spiel C, Schober B. Profiles of School-Related Well-Being and their links to Self-Esteem and academic achievement. Zeitschrift Fur Psychologie-journal of Psychology [Internet]. 2022 Jul 1;230(3):189–200. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000498
  13. Julius S J. A Study on The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy Among College Students. International Journal of Indian Psychology [Internet]. 2022; 10(2), 1537-1540. Available from: https://ijip.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/18.01.153.20221002.pdf

Written by

Ashish Joshi1, Ashruti Bhatt2, Sabhya Juneja2, Anoja Sundar2, Revathi3, Nida Talat4, Madhuri Bhatt4, Akshata Gupta4

  1. Dean and Distinguished University Professor School of Public Health University of Memphis
  2. Public Health Researcher at the Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society
  3. Research Assistant at the Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society
  4. v-INSPIRE Intern at the Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society