Abstract:
This study sought to investigate the mediating role of self-esteem on social support and mental wellbeing of senior high school students in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The correlational research design was adopted for the study. Five hundred and four students were sampled from a population of 1679 senior high school students in the District. The multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. Data were collected using Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, World Health Organization Well-Being Index, and Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale and analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, Hayes PROCESS Macro and Multiple Regression Analysis. The study findings revealed that there was a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between social support and mental wellbeing. There was also a statistically significant moderate positive correlation between social support and self-esteem. Further, the findings of the study showed that there was a statistically significant weak, positive correlation between self-esteem and mental wellbeing. Also, the findings revealed that self-esteem significantly mediates the relationship between social support and mental wellbeing. Finally, the study found that social support was a predictor of mental wellbeing than self-esteem. It was recommended that parents, family members and friends, as well as staff of the institutions should consistently provide the best of support to students. This can help improve their mental wellbeing since social support was found to significantly relate to mental wellbeing. Again, school heads should collaborate with guidance and counselling units in their schools to organise seminars and programmes that focus on helping students to build up their self-esteem.
