Correlations among Self-Esteem, Depression and Academic Achievement in Nursing College Students

Purpose: To investigate the relationships among self-esteem, depression and academic achievement in nursing college students. Method: The study subjects consisted of 350 nursing college students. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire from September 3rd to 28th 2007. Results: 1) The mean scores self-esteem, depression, and academic achievement were 3.03 (on a 4-point scale), 4.00 (on a 7-point scale), and 87.33 (on a 100-point scores), respectively. 2) There were significant differences and impacts on self-esteem according to the economic state, character, attitude to parents, consideration of aptitude, satisfaction of school life and satisfaction of nursing. Depression differed significantly according to the economic state, residence type and satisfaction of school life. Academic achievement differed depending on the attitude to parents, consideration of aptitude and satisfaction of nursing. There was a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and academic achievement, but a negative correlation between self-esteem and depression in nursing college students. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between self-esteem and academic achievement. Moreover, self-esteem can provide a basis for constructing further studies in intervention programs relating to the curriculum for nursing college students. Based on the above findings, programs are needed for the improvement of self-esteem and the reduction of depression, and further research is suggested on the development of such programs.