Assertiveness, self-esteem, academic achievement and stress among adolescents: A Study of central and northern India

Background: One of the very imperative personal attribute is to be able to advocate yourself- your own positions to accomplish objectives, to overcome difficulties, to be determined, but without violating the rights of others and the ability to control the aggressive impulses. The notion which expresses these personal characteristics is called "assertiveness". Being ingredient of the personal potential, it is a prerequisite for enhancing self-esteem, academic achievement and for diminution of stress. With this standpoint, this study was conducted to compare assertiveness, self-esteem, stress and academic achievement of adolescents selected from two different cultural backgrounds of Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh.

Methodology:

Sample

360 students divided equally into three groups, i.e. 120 Muslims from Kashmir (60 boys & 60 girls), 120 Hindu (60 boys & 60 girls) and 120 Muslim adolescents of Madhya Pradesh within the age range of 12-18 years were taken as participants.

Tools

Rathus assertiveness schedule, Rosenberg self-esteem, perceived stress scale, and academic achievement scale were used for data collection.

Statistical technique

Kruskal-Wallis Test was employed to analyze the data.

Results: On the basis of the religion, the findings of the study depicted a significant difference for the three groups namely Muslims of Kashmir, Hindus of Madhya Pradesh (M.P) and Muslims of M.P with reference to their self-esteem, stress and academic achievement. However, no significant difference was found in the assertiveness.

Conclusion: The findings of the study exhibit that religion plays an important role in determining the levels of self-esteem, stress and academic achievement.