Confidence Gap: A comparative study between Self-Esteem & Perceived Social Support in Gen-Y vs. Gen-Z

Abstract

This research employed a quantitative, cross-sectional design to examine the relationship between self-esteem and perceived social support in 181 participants using snowball sampling. Standardized measures assessed self-esteem using Rosenberg Scale of Self-Esteem (RSES) and perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others using The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Non-parametric tests were used due to non-normal data distribution. The study found a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and perceived social support for Gen Z participants. This indicates that Gen Z individuals with higher self-esteem reported stronger support networks. However, this correlation wasn't significant for Gen Y. This suggests a potential generational difference in how social support impacts self-esteem. The study acknowledges limitations and suggests future research using longitudinal designs with larger and more representative samples could provide a more comprehensive picture. This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge on self-esteem, social support, and their interplay across generations, paving the way for future research to create more effective support systems for young adults.