Self-esteem and arithmetic skills among first -year students

Abstract

Self-esteem is a vital trait that enables people to feel successful, capable, and valuable regardless of their weakness and failures. Self-esteem is persistent desire that drives everyone's behavior. This study aimed to determine the significant relationship between self-esteem and arithmetic skills among first-year students enrolled in STEM-related programs. One hundred seventy-nine first-year students enrolled in STEM-related programs participated in the study at Davao del Sur State College. To address the study's research aims, the researcher employed a descriptive -correlational research design. The research study was performed using an adapted survey questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that the level of students' self-esteem in learning mathematics in terms of self-significance was characterized as high while self-capabilities, success, and worth were characterized as average. Whereas, the level of students' arithmetic skills in learning mathematics was interpreted as satisfactory. Additionally, the results of the study show a significant relationship between self-esteem and arithmetic skills. Based on the findings of the study, it emphasized the complex relationship between students' self-esteem and their arithmetic skills in learning mathematics. Stakeholder are encouraged to prioritize activities to enhance students self-esteem in learning mathematics, focusing on creating holistic strategies, personalized support, open communication, and exploring underlying factors for future research.