SelfConfidence-2

Promoting Self Confidence among Middle School Students

By Dina Durnin, School CounselorHoech Middle School

Self-Esteem Issues in Middle School

The importance of self-esteemTraining your own thoughtsStriving for perfectionHow to view mistakesGoal setting

The Importance of Self-Esteem

The importance of self-esteem is a direct reflection on one’s influence on their lives. Self-esteem affects relationships, academic achievement, and living life to it’s fullest.

The developmental growth stage that pre-teens and young teens encounter during Middle School are especially challenging when trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in.

Training Your Own Thoughts

When trying to change low self-esteem students should focus on retraining their negative thoughts into positive self-talk.

Steps to use, identify negative self-talk, stop, think of a strength, and use positive self-talk.

Striving for Perfection

Striving for perfection is impossible in life and could be damaging to one’s self-esteem. A shift in thinking to setting attainable goals and reaching them is a healthier way to reach higher levels of self-confidence.

How to view mistakes

Changing the way a student views mistakes impacts their self-esteem, retraining the thought process to view mistakes as challenges or opportunities to learn, are more effective when attaining higher levels of self-esteem.

Goal Setting

Setting attainable goals for oneself is important when reflecting on successes. Many small goal successes lead to larger goal setting and belief that you can accomplish them.

Description of Self-Esteem Groups

Two Separate Groups Consisted of:– One group of 10 eighth grade female students– Second group of 8 eighth grade male studentsSettings

Small group in a classroomOnce a week for 45-55 minutesSix weeksTime of day varied within school day

Interventions & Measurements

Weekly self-esteem lessons/activities facilitated by the counselor and school social worker.

Counselor generated pre and post survey

Measuring Student Change

Pre and post survey comparison results

Teacher Observation Feedback

Parent Conference

Data Results—Girls Group Pre-test

Girls Group Survey Pre-Test

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

I fee

l lik

e I

have

per

sona

l

I hav

e hi

ghse

lf-es

teem

I und

erst

and

my

purp

ose

I hav

e at

leas

ton

e ta

lent

I hav

e a

posi

tive

I lik

e m

ysel

f

I ofte

n w

orry

abou

t my

life

I con

trol m

e

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

Data Results—Girls Group Post-test

Girls Group Survey Post-Test

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10

I fee

l lik

e I

have

per

sona

l

I hav

e hi

ghse

lf-es

teem

I und

ersta

ndm

y pu

rpos

e

I hav

e at

leas

ton

e ta

lent

I bel

ieve

I ca

nac

hiev

e m

y

I ofte

n th

ink

of m

y fu

ture

I am

hap

pyw

ith m

y lif

e

I hav

epe

rson

al


Data Results—Boys Group Pre-test

Boys Group Survey Pre-Test

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

I feel like I have personal power

I understand my purpose in life

I have at least one talent

I believe I can achieve my goal(s)

I often worry about my life

I control me and my decisions


Data Results—Boys Group Post-test

Boys Group Survey Post-Test

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

I feel like I have personal power

I understand my purpose in life

I have at least one talent

I believe I can achieve my goal(s)

I often worry about my life

I control me and my decisions


Data Analysis

Graphed results from the pre and post tests completed by group participants

Interviews from teachers with direct observation/contact of group participants

Interview from parents/peers with direct interactions of group participants

Summary of Self-Esteem Groups

According to self reported data by group participants students gained:– A better understanding of self-esteem– A positive outlook on their future and

current situations– Knowledge/skills they can use to retrain

their thought process and setting goals


Teacher observations and reports indicate:– Students contributed more to classroom

discussions– Students self advocacy increased– Students made positive decisions in

classroom/peer interactions


Parents reported:– Students gained insight to importance of

decision-making – Students understand the importance of goal

setting– Students learned how their actions impact

their self image and how others view them

Implications for Future

Understanding that self-esteem in the Middle School is a continuous problem and future small groups are needed to assist students in recognizing their true potential in life.

Quotes

“Confidence comes from not always being right, but learning to be wrong.” ~Peter T. McIntyre

“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.” ~Unknown

Resources/Contact InformationHow Can I Improve My Self Esteem? Reviewed by: D’Arcy Lyness, PhD, March 2009, http://kidshealth.org/teen/

Dina Durnin, School Counselor Hoech Middle School 3312 Ashby Rd. St. Ann, MO 63074

(314) 493-6217 [email protected]

SelfConfidence-2

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