What Are the Statistics Regarding Low Self-Esteem in Teenagers?
Some statistics regarding low self-esteem in teenagers include that over 70 percent of girls age 15 to 17 avoid normal daily activities when they feel bad about their looks. Additionally, 75 percent of girls with low self-esteem report engaging in activities such as cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking or improper eating. This is much higher than the reported 25 percent of girls with high self-esteem who report similar activities.
Additionally, teenage girls with negative views of themselves are four times more likely to engage in activities with boys that they later regret.
Ninety-five percent of teenagers have at some point in their lives felt inferior. The reasons for these feelings were most commonly connected to appearance, ability in a certain area, intelligence and size.
A study conducted in 2013 found that 47 percent of girls age 11 to 14 refuse to take part in activities, such as swimming or performing in a play, that show their bodies to others. The study also showed that 23 percent of these girls are afraid to put their hands up in class.
Studies have also shown a connection between teenage boys with low self-esteem and drug usage. Boys with low self-esteem in the sixth or seventh grade were found to be 1.6 times more likely than other children to meet the criteria for drug dependence when looked at nine years later.
