ADOLESCENT ALTRUISM AND SELF-ESTEEM: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Social theorists and social psychologists alike have long pondered the nature of a relationship between helping behavior and the individual who helps. This research investigates the relationship between altruism, defined as helping behavior, and self-esteem. Considering the developmental nature of altruism, the focus of this investigation is the adolescent. Although available research suggests a relationship between altruism and self-esteem indirectly or superficially, the present research aims at a more definitive set of findings. Three rival hypotheses are proposed: (1) altruism and self-esteem are negatively related, (2) altruism and self-esteem are positively related, and (3) altruism and self-esteem are not related. Literature and theoretical approaches to support each of these hypotheses are presented. A panel study of 1,965 male and female adolescents in public and private schools in two mid-Atlantic cities is made. The students were surveyed once a year for a three year period using a questionnaire containing the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory, as well as items indicating altruistic behavior. Data gathered using the questionnaires are supplemented by teacher reports on the students each year during the study. Cross-lagged correlational analysis, a type of path analysis, is used to test the hypotheses. A weak relationship is found between adolescent altruism and self-esteem. Support is provided cross-sectionally as well as longitudinally over the period of the study. The relationship is also studied as affected by social class, gender, race, age, role-taking ability, empathy, and self-certainty. The findings are interpreted in terms of their contribution toward greater understanding of social cohesion. Explanations for the relationship are discussed in terms of the physical, moral, psychological, and social development of the individual. Implications of the findings in applied areas are discussed as well.