A Comparative Study of Self-Esteem and Emotional Regulation in Anxious and Non-Anxious Adolescents

Using gender as a moderating variable, the current study examines the differences in emotional regulation and self-esteem between anxious and non-anxious adolescents.  The study evaluated 120 college-going adolescents in Bhubaneswar, aged 18 to 21 (60 anxious and 60 non-anxious), using a 2×2 factorial design.  A standardized anxiety measure was used to identify the participants from a pool of 400 students.  Self-esteem and emotional regulation were evaluated using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, respectively. A two-way ANOVA found significant main effects of anxiety on self-esteem and emotional regulation.  Nevertheless, neither a significant main effect nor a significant interaction between anxiety levels and gender was seen.  The results support early mental health treatments and highlight the impact of anxiety on adolescents’ psychological functioning.