Extra-curricular activities and self-esteem of school children in the Colombo District

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Self-esteem has a positive effect on the optimal performance of a person. Association between engaging in extra-curricular activities in school and the self-esteem of adolescents has not been described in Sri Lanka. The study aimed to describe the association between engaging in extra-curricular activities in school and the level of self-esteem among school children in two national schools in the Colombo District. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in two schools among 422 adolescents between 13- 15 years of age. A questionnaire including the Coopersmith self-esteem inventory was used to collect the data after informed consent. Self esteem was scored using the Coopersmith self esteem inventory score. R studio was used to describe the level of self-esteem and its associations. RESULTS: A significant difference in the self-esteem score between students engaged in more than one sport [Mean= 78.38; 95% CI: 75.41-81.36] and students not engaged in any sport [Mean=72.2; 95% CI: 69.38-75.02] was observed. A similar difference was observed between students engaged in physically intense sports [Mean =76.15; 95% CI: 74.26-78.04] and students not engaged in any sport [Mean= 72.2; 95% CI: 69.38-75.02]. No significant difference in self-esteem was observed between, students engaged in sports with a high physical exertion and low physical exertion. Students engaged in more than one extra-curricular activity had a non• significant increase in self-esteem [Mean= 78.97; 95% CI: 75.46-82.49] compared with students not engaged in extracurricular activities [Mean= 72.40; 95% CI: 70.18-74.61]. CONCLUSION: Since extra-curricular activities have a positive effect on the self esteem of Sri Lankan adolescents, they should be promoted in schools