An essential component of this unit is aiding students in acquiring a sense of identity and selfesteem. Research has indicated that academic achievement and self-esteem are positively related. A students ability to learn depends not only on intelligence, but his or her selfesteem.
Research also demonstrates that low selfesteem is a detriment to individual success and satisfaction. Those with low selfesteem suffer more emotional problems, expect rejection, perform poorly, take personal criticism adversely, are easily influenced by others and suffer more stressrelated illnesses. An individual with low self-esteem has little or no worth and do not see themselves as valuable human beings.
Selfesteem refers to the feeling a person has about his or her worth generally. It relates to how individuals estimate their own intrinsic value. Present wellbeing and future hope are both essential for selfesteem. Therefore an individual with high selfesteem feels that he or she has considerable worth and feel good about themselves. The individual feels that he or she is someone, has a sense of belonging, is competent and has possibilities.