Abstract

The current study investigated the relationship between self-esteem and social adjustment among first- and last-semester university students. It was hypothesized that self-esteem has a positive relationship with social adjustment among university students. It was also hypothesized that self-esteem predicts social-adjustment among university students. Additionally there is difference in self-esteem and social-adjustment between first and last semester university students. The target population of the study was students. 190 university students including 87 males and 103 females were comprised by using purposive sampling strategy. Their age range was 17-26 years. The study's evaluation tools included the College Adjustment Test (CAT; Pennebaker, 2013) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965). Findings of Pearson product moment correlation indicated that self-esteem has a strongest positive relationship with the social adjustment of the university students. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that after controlling the demographics’ self-esteem also significantly positively predicted social adjustment of university students. Furthermore findings of independent t-test. demonstrated that the students of last semester students have better self-esteem and social adjustment than the first semester students. The findings can be implemented in educational setting and for policy makers for making necessary changes in education system as per need of the students.