Is Unconditional Self-acceptance an Antidote to Self-esteem? A Study in India

The relationship between self-esteem and self-acceptance is a debated topic. Although a few studies have investigated this issue, the findings remain inconclusive. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of unconditional self-acceptance on self-esteem within the Indian context. For this purpose, a total of 104 participants (55-female, 49-male, Mage- 27.13 years) were included in this study using a convenient sampling technique. The present study used a correlational research design and regression analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between the two constructs (r= .44). Furthermore, the regression analysis indicated that unconditional self-acceptance exerts a significant influence on self-esteem (R2 = .19, β= .17 ± .035). The present study makes a valuable contribution to the existing body of literature, providing new insights into the relationship between unconditional self-acceptance and self-esteem, thereby aiding readers in achieving a more definitive understanding of this association.