Relationship between mother's and daughter's self-esteem

Adolescence is one of the most critical stages of human development. Low self-esteem is one of the problems that most adolescents often face with. Moreover, low self-esteem can cause other psychological disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression and drug abuse). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between mother's and daughter's self-esteem.

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 474 students were randomly selected among the Kashan's high schools during 2009-10. They were divided into three equal groups (low, average and high self-esteem) who met the inclusion criteria (ages 13-19, living with biological parents and without experiencing severe stress over the last year). Izink standard test and a researcher-made questionnaire were also used to assess both the mother's and daughter's self-esteem; scores less than 14 were considered as low self-esteem.

There was a significant relationship between mother's and daughter's self-esteem (OR= 3.24, CI= 2.1-4.85, r=0.416). Seventy-six percent of mothers with low self-esteem had also daughters with low self-esteem. Moreover, while no significant relation was seen between the student's self-esteem and age, education level, birth order and number of brothers and sisters, but there was a significant relationship between the student's self-esteem and intimacy with mother, number of close friends, the average school scores in last year, extracurricular activities, feeling of success, popularity among friends and satisfaction with height and weight.

Our study showed a positive correlation between mother's and daughter's self-esteem.