Self-esteem and Aggression in University Students: Investigating the Mediating Role of Social Comparison
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/rl.2025.44120Keywords:
Self-esteem, Social Comparison, Aggression, Mediation, University StudentsAbstract
Purpose of the present study was to explore indirect relationship between self-esteem and aggression through social comparison among university students. The sample comprised of 305 male and female students from three different universities in Quetta city. Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (1965) was used for measuring self-esteem, and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (Buss & Perry, 1992) was used for measuring Aggression and Social Comparison Scale by Allan and Gilbert (1995) was used to measure students` tendency to evaluate themselves relative to others. Pearson Correlation results showed non-significant relationship of self-esteem with aggression. Link between self-esteem and social comparison was significant and negative. Significant positive association was observed between social comparison and aggression. Regression analysis endorsed both self-esteem and social comparison as significant predictors of aggression as outcome variable. Mediation analysis revealed that social comparison completely mediated the relationship of self-esteem with aggression. No significant differences were observed on self-esteem, aggression and social comparison between male and female students. It is concluded based on the findings of the present study that youth with low self-esteem involve in more social comparison and that more social comparison result in more aggression in such individuals. The findings of the present study are discussed in the context of the past research and suggestions for the future research are also included.
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