DIFFERENCES IN SELF-ESTEEM OF ORPHAN CHILDREN AND CHILDREN LIVING WITH THEIR PARENTS

Abstract

The current research investigated differences in self-esteem of orphan children and children living with both parents in their homes. The sample was composed of 150 children (75 children from orphanages and 75 living with both parents in their homes). Non - probability purposive sampling technique was used. Children living with both parents were drawn from different private schools and orphan children were drawn from orphanages of Lahore city of Pakistan. ∗ Jonathan Berent’s Selfesteem Scale (1994) was individually administered to all the research participants. The author of self-esteem scale granted permission for its use in the current research. The children in orphanages reported lower degree of self-esteem than children living with their parents (t = 2.66, df =148, *p < .01). The findings further suggest no significant gender difference in selfesteem of the orphan children and the children living with both parents (t = -.54, df 148, p > .05). The findings of this research will promote our understanding of the personality and selfesteem of children in orphanages and intact homes.