Collective Self-Esteem and Well-Being Among College Students in Ghana

Abstract: Collectivist values may influence one’s display of self-esteem. Past research has established an association between psychological well-being and individuals’ appraisal of their value as a member of a social group, self-evaluation as an individual, and perception of others’ evaluation of their group (collective self-esteem). This study examined collective self-esteem, specifically whether private and public collective self-esteem and member self-esteem predicted psychological well-being alongside individual self-esteem in a sample ( N = 416) of university students in Ghana. A linear regression tested the predictive ability of collective self-esteem for depression and anxiety symptoms. The results indicated that while individual self-esteem was related to lower levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, collective self-esteem was unrelated. In our sample of Ghanaian students, these findings suggest that personal self-esteem is more meaningful than collective self-esteem for their psychological well-being. This knowledge is instrumental for informing mental health interventions for this group.