The Determinants Of Self- Esteem In The Ghanaian Cultural Context

Abstract

Current perspectives on the self have focused on a range of issues including the determinants of selfesteem. Twenty eight (28) adolescent and adult males and females were interviewed about their considerations of self-worth. Using thematic-content analysis, results indicate that Ghanaians make selfworth judgments through personal evaluations, social comparisons and social appraisals. Further findings show that, character stands as a core determinant of self-esteem among participants. The study identified seven (7) overarching themes namely Character, Identity, Attractiveness, Achievement, Feelings of belongingness, Autonomy and Other composed of seventeen (17) subthemes. The present study presents practical evidence that indeed Ghanaians have a collectivist culture; it provides an indepth empirical understanding into the Ghanaian self with respect to its meanings, contexts of assessment and processes involved in self-evaluation. The study thus makes available to researchers, explanations to causal claims in future quantitative studies on the Ghanaian self.